So my first lesson plan is going to be sweet. There's not a lot of pressure from the assignment in terms of delivery and content; in fact, the grading scale listed on my assignment sheet reads "Grading: It is all about effort on this one. Either you try and have a lesson you run us through, or you don't." The actual bit I'm supposed to teach is whatever I would like my class to know about a local plant; I have chosen fireweed. I only have five minutes do to a lecturette and the rest of the time, before or after my talk, is for inquiry-based learning. We've been learning about it for the last couple of classes, and the practice is something I truely identify with. The overreaching goals of this exercise is to get my participants engaged/excited in actively exploring the plant, help them discover one thing they likely didn't know previously about it, and get them excited about the whole investigative process.
FloraGuy called me the other afternoon to invite me to come berrying with him; of course I accepted and he and I headed into the Crevasse Moraine for one incredible workout. Climbing up and down slopes, navigating "lively" terrain, hiking down a wide, twisting trail and all the while filling gallon jugs with deliciousness: northern red currants, highbush cranberries (or, as I learned this morning, also known as lignonberries!), red raspberries...the smells emulating from my bucket were sensational. There were also berries that were NOT picked out there as well...bunchberries, the baneberry--named because it becomes the bane of your intestines after ingestion--and soapberries. It was such a lovely time and I was loathe to admit it was getting too dark to safely navigate and pick. However, the treat of jelly awaits as I contributed all the berries I picked to FloraGuy's in the understanding I would get a jar of goodness when he was finished. In addition to all of the good work we were doing, we got engaged in some very fun conversation and even song at times. FloraGuy, although he wouldn't say so himself, has a wonderful lilting voice that I enjoy immensely "...you take the high road and I'll take the low..." Makes me smile just thinking of it. But I'm also smiling because of these snippets:
FloraGuy: My voice is so amazing...I should be on a stage!
Kate (after coaching from FloraGuy since I didn't know the joke): Yes, yes...the next one leaves in twenty minutes.
FloraGuy: My voice is so beautiful...I will go far!
Kate: Yes, yes...far far away, with any luck.
: )
Today I am finishing up my last bits of reading and homework for tomorrow's class, and then this evening I will head into Anchorage to look at a truck that I found on Craigslist. I was, however, dismayed to find out this morning that my overage check, leftovers from my scholarships/assistanceship/loans, will not be coming next Monday as I was told, but rather "The earliest would be around the 16th." That money will buy me a vehicle, and until I have it, I won't have my own method of transportation. Logistically I'll be okay since I have an incredibly generous friend who can pick me up for our class, and a great landlord who lets me borrow the Bronco when I need it, and of course FloraGuy's lending me his car as well...but I really, really hate being so dependent on and beholded to others. Of course I am financially stable in terms of household expenses and things outside transportation, but the reality is that I hadn't budgeted to get a car in the first place and now it's biting me in the ass. The good news is I'm going to live, but it is frustrating to rely on others when I'm at a point in my life that I achieved through no small measure of independence.
Other than that, things are amazing up here. My housemate and I are getting along swimmingly, and we're enjoying the beginning of the fall. He's got a million projects going on around the house, ones that I'm able to help with, which feels good. We made chili and cornbread together the other day (baked the cornbread in a cast iron pan greased with bacon fat...yum!) and we've settled in to some semblance of a routine and knowledge of how to live with each other comfortably. Sadly enough, he will be leaving the first week of October for Asia, and will not return till around the end of November. I've been looking at my schedule as well, and when he gets home is about the time I'll be leaving to come south for Christmas--a good thing, since with that the house won't be left unattended.
1 comment:
Friday night camping, a fellow in the next campsite brought out his guitar and sang by his fire. As I fell asleep I was thinking that if you (or Charlie) had been there you would have gone over and joined in song. Then I thought about what a great singing voice you had. Nice coincidence. You'll get your independence in time, for now understand that good people like helping good people. I'm glad you've got wheels when you need them. I think I'd like to take the class you teach. We found out that the squirrels visiting our campsite, stealing Scooters food were "Franklins Ground Squirrels" Pretty cool.
Love,
Dad, Theresa and Cozy Scooter Pie
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