five things, may 30

1. I think this last big push at the end of the school year is HARD. Kids are already worn out. Parents are already worn out. And then exams. Cal has history behind him, English today, and he's taking his Latin exam tomorrow. Yikes! After that, science and math and we're home free. Summer here we come.

2. I think what's nice about exam time is driving three smart boys home and listening them compare how hard their exams were and what they wrote their essays on. Which society had more influence and historical significance, the Greeks or Romans? (for the 8th graders) Analyze how immigration changed in the US after World War II using 12 selected speeches and photos as examples. (for the 10th grader) Color me impressed.

3. I think I actually haven't given much thought to summer, and that's bad. Somewhere I saw a hashtag about #92daysofsummer, and while intriguing, I can't remember what it's about. I always have such great, grand plans for us (and I've listed them here in the past), but this year I might just go with the flow. How has that worked out for anybody?

4. I think that many of us, aside from being united by so many other things (I mean, we read each other's blogs every day, right?), are united in our disdain of the humble green pepper. This was something I have always been hesitant to admit until I saw Nigella Lawson on the Today Show many years ago. She mentioned that she didn't like green pepper, and Katie Couric quickly concurred. She didn't like green peppers either. Nigella then said, "They're really just unripe peppers," and suddenly I was okay. Everything was okay.

5. I think this photo is one of the reasons I love this month's issue of MSL. Berry Biscuit Cobbler, or something like that. It was easy, it was tasty and it's pretty. Met all of my requirements.

five things, may 23

1. I think I'm going to start right of with a big brag on my kid. He finishes 8th grade in a few short days and then we're into exams. At his school, 9th grade is still middle school, and the kids don't move to upper school until 10th grade. I'm down with that. A famous rite of passage for 9th graders at Cal's school is the 9th grade speech. Every student gives one in front of the whole middle school, and the speeches are on a wide range of topics. Preserving bees. Scholastic sports. Gun control. You name it (abortion is not allowed as a topic, as are, I'm sure other super polarizing topics.), they speak about it. The speeches are well-researched, and the kids work with advisers on everything from organizing their speech to the public speaking part itself. So. There's a raffle and a lottery and apparently a lot of jockeying and trading of numbers, but guess who's willingly going first? I know, I know. I made it easy on you, but bottom line, Cal's #1. On the speech roster and in my heart. #soproud

2. I think, as long as we're talking about speeches, I might mention that he's giving one today. In front of the middle school. On the page program. This 9th grade speech will be a breeze. yes, #soproud

3. I think I so appreciate all of your comments on the photos and thoughts I shared this week. I belong to a Fuji group on Facebook, and the support I got there was astounding. I think about art a lot, and how I'm living my life and working on my craft. I expect I'll have more to say on the topic in coming days. #sorrynotsorry

4. I think, and this is totally random, that this month's Martha Stewart Living was one of my favorites in ages. I don't subscribe. It's never as good when I subscribe. So it's my monthly grocery store treat. Sometimes there are hits and sometimes misses, but this month? Hit.

5. I think I can't believe it's almost Memorial Day. We have no real plans. Exams start next week, after all. Neel and I are going to a wedding on Saturday (yay, I love weddings!), and other than that I want to eat and rest. I'm ready for summer. You?