Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Tree Tuesday


I hear the wind among the trees
Playing the celestial symphonies;
I see the branches downward bent,
Like keys of some great instrument.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



It's "Tree Tuesday".  I didn't know it before google told me, but it is.  In honor of this, here are two of my favorite trees here in the gallery, brought to you by Mark and Christiane Routt.

I love the Heart Tree's.  They're fun and happy - whimsical and appropriate year round.

Heart Tree mini canvas


The Faery Tree, it is well know, is one of my favorite of Mark Routt's tree shots.  Fans and tree-huggers alike will share my sadness that this tree was lost in last years Derechio storm.

Faery Tree by Mark Routt Photography

So that's it - just a little bit of #treetuesday for you from EarthWorks - where you'll find some of the best trees in Loudoun County!

PL&BB-

Penni




Friday, May 3, 2013

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6th through 10th.

If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.  ~Donald D. Quinn

It's so easy to take teachers for granted.  Especially as your children grow to the high school age.  How many of us are guilty of not knowing the first and last names of each of our children's teachers? PAST middle school?   Shame on us for letting it be that easy.

Having 3 teachers in my immediate family (2 sisters an a Mom!), and having raised a gaggle of goofballs to their higher education I should be shouting from the rooftops that it does, indeed, take a village to raise a gaggle of goofballs to higher education.  I once did a bit of math on this subject while writing a recommendation for a high school teacher and coach chasing his dreams.  

Here is that stat.  I have raised 4 children.  One went to WVU, One went to NOVA, and one is at UVA @ Wise.  My baby is a junior in high school.  In public school alone I calculate that nearly 100 teachers and coaches have been a part of the lives of my kids.  When you add administration, counselors and professors . . . well.  You see how it goes.  We often congratulate ourselves and our parents and our siblings for "raising up" our children to be the wonderful adult goofballs they become, but we shouldn't.  

Bless their hearts, I recall the names of only a few - they were outstanding and had a tremendous impact on my kids though.  I had better remember them! The kids remember everyone, though, and I guess that's is more important and a much better testimony.  

Here's what else I know for sure.  Your kids want to show their appreciation, but they may need your help to do it!  

Here at EarthWorks, we have so many unique and wonderful things that every teacher would cherish - many for under $20!  Now that's what I'm talking about!  

Here's just a few:






And remember, if you can read this THANK A TEACHER!  

PL&BB-

Penni