Yes. You ARE seeing that.

Mmm hmm. Temperatures in the thirties and nineties in the same week.

And no one thinks it's weird.

Mary Oliver! Mary Oliver! MARY-PULITZER-PRIZE-OLIVER!!!

Remember a little over a year ago, when I wrote that I was ROBBED because I didn't know about the poet Mary Oliver until I was 46 years old? An ENGLISH major, for cryin' out loud, who didn't know about Mary Oliver? (Note to self: Ask ACU for a partial refund.)
http://corpuskristy.blogspot.com/2010/03/robbed.html

Well, anyway, the EXTREMELY PRIVATE Mary Oliver opens up to Maria Shriver in this month's O: The Oprah Magazine. (Side note: I have never seen Oprah's tv show. Never. Not even once. Rest assured...I am NOT from the Cult of O.) :-)
http://www.oprah.com/entertainment/Maria-Shriver-Interviews-Poet-Mary-Oliver

That's all. Less important things than poetry...like the details of my life and stuff...can wait until later.

Poetry comes FIRST.


UPDATE: For a behind-the-scenes look at the Shriver/Oliver interview, visit:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Maria-Shriver-Interview-Poet-Mary-Oliver-O-Magazine-Poetry-Issue

Didja' miss the Sunday Puzzle?

I may not have time to blog recent fun adventures (school, work, taking care of Philip after he had a little outpatient surgery on President's Day, feeding cattle on his farm, taking pics of Julie in the park, etc.), but I *make* time to type up the NPR puzzle with Will Shortz once a month. 

Today it was my turn so stretch your brain below!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Synopsis of

NPR Weekend Edition puzzle

Lynn Neary and Will Shortz

2011-03-06

 

 

The Current Challenge (given 20110227):

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/27/134092067/this-puzzle-brought-to-you-by-the-letters-a-and-d

From Merl Reagle: Take a common girl's name that's six letters long. Change the fourth letter to the next letter in the alphabet to get another common girl's name. What names are these? 

 

 

The answers were MARSHA and MARTHA. Lynn said "You know, that seems simple when you see it--like you would get it right away...but I doubt I would have if I had tried. But we DID receive more than 1,400 entries this week." 

 

 

The on-air player today, randomly drawn from those sending in the correct answer, was John LePeau, a retired computer programmer, from Iowa City, Iowa. John says it took 10-15 minutes to solve the puzzle. He found a list of women's names, limited them to 6-letter names, and eventually found MARSHA and MARTHA. Mr. LePeau has been playing since the postcard days; he is a member of Iowa Public Radio and listens to WSEY and KSEY.

 

 

Will invited John and Lynn to play a game where they would put on HATS. Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase, in which the first word starts with HA, and the second word starts with T. For example, if Will gave the clue "a brand of tanning lotion," the answer would be HAWAIIAN TROPIC

 

 

CLUES (hints below clues; answers at the end of this synopsis):

 

 

1.   The President who said, "The buck stops here."

 

 

2.  It may hang over a rod, next to a sink

 

 

3.  Skimpy article of apparel for women

 

 

4.  Part of a mountain road where it doubles back on itself

 

 

5.  Olympic event that involves a 16-pound metal ball attached to a wire 

 

 

6.  To perform a difficult surfing maneuver 

 

 

7.  Traditional luxury wool cloth for sports jackets 

 

 

8.  Period in autumn when crops are brought in 

 

 

9.  If you constantly razz somebody, you're giving them a what? 

 

 

10. Theme song for Roy Rogers & Dale Evans 

 

 

11. Statement that isn't a lie, but also doesn't tell the whole story 

 

 

12. Responding to the slightest provocation, as a temper 

 

 

13. G.I. Joe, Mr. Potato Head, and Lincoln Logs

 

 

14.. Female Abolitionist who helped run the Underground Railroad

 

  

HINTS:

 

3. "It would be worn above the waist."   

"The T is--what's the opposite of BOTTOM?"   

"Lynn, I'm guessing you're not wearing this now."

 

 

7. Nice material for a man's sports jacket

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

The listener challenge for next week:

From http://www.npr.org/2011/03/06/134297611/a-tip-of-the-hat  :

Think of a two-word phrase that means a time long ago. Move the third, fourth and fifth letters to the end of the phrase, without rearranging those three letters, to get a new two-word phrase that means the beginning. What phrases are these?

 

 

 

Answers must be received by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on THURSDAY.  One entry per person.

NPR will no longer receive entries by email. 

Be sure to include a telephone number where you can be reached if you are selected as the winner. 

Entries may be made at the web page:

http://www.npr.org/templates/contact/index.php?columnId=4473090

You might also get to this page by going to:

http://npr.org/puzzle

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

Guest editor's notes from Kristy:

 

It's the first Sunday of the month, and that means it's my turn to type up the puzzle synopsis. HOORAY!

 

 

Serendipitous links for today:

 

The Iditarod begins TODAY!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/06/alaska.iditarod/index.html?hpt=C2 

 

Lynn Neary's NPR bio:

http://www.npr.org/people/2100948/lynn-neary

 

 

And two stories that have NOTHING to do with Charlie Sheen. (You're welcome!):

 

http://bit.ly/f3rfdf  (Loved the video.)

 

http://abcn.ws/ikmOG9  Super Granny!

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

Editor's notes:

 

Puzzles, and contents of Weekend Edition/Sunday puzzle segment are copyrighted 2010, by Will Shortz and NPR. Reprinted here with permission.

 

Here's our regular monthly puzzle transcription schedule:

1st       Kristy

2nd      Richard

3rd       Joe

4th       Jerry

5th       Richard

 

 

Email us at:

Kristy Fowler gmail.com>

Richard Renner igc.org>

Jerry Miller muohio.edu>

Joe Wander gmail.com>

 

 

So email for next week's synopsis goes to Richard Renner at igc.org> .

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

MAILBAG:

 

If you've been racking your brain this week, trying to solve Jerry's challenge from last week (10 3-letter body parts), you'll be 

glad to read the exchange below.

 

Joe Wander <jdwandersr@gmail.com>	Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 5:42 PM
jaw eye ear arm leg toe lid pit lip rib gut lat abs maw acl tmj

 

***

On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 6:16 PM, Jerry Miller <jerry.miller@muohio.edu> wrote:

pit: arm pit

lid: eye lid

gut: hmmmm.... I have never accepted that one

lat: abbreviation

abs: same thing

maw: another word for stomach

acl: acronym

tmj: acronym

I am looking for two others.

:)

- Hide quoted text -

 

***

 

Richard Renner <rrenner@igc.org>	Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 6:21 PM

Reply-To: rrenner@igc.org

To: Kristy Fowler Joe Wander <jdwandersr@gmail.com>

Cc: Jerry Miller <Jerry.Miller@muohio.edu>

Attached are two of my files listing body parts. Richard Renner Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, LLP 3233 P St., NW Washington, DC  20007 202-342-6980, Ext. 112 202-342-6984 FAX rrenner@igc.org rr@kkc.com www.whistleblowersblog.org ***
Jerry Miller <jerry.miller@muohio.edu>	Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 6:25 PM
To: "rrenner@igc.org" <rrenner@igc.org> Cc: Kristy Fowler  Joe Wander <jdwandersr@gmail.com>
ok, ok... I wanted to challenge everyone to think. :) J ***
oe Wander <jdwandersr@gmail.com>	Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 7:02 PM
To: Jerry Miller <jerry.miller@muohio.edu> Cc: Kristy Fowler
Nothing like a rock drill (remember the story about the 'tis bottle?" How about hip and gum, on the assumption that bum and ass are too colloquial? joe ***
Jerry Miller <jerry.miller@muohio.edu>	Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 7:25 PM
To: Joe Wander <jdwandersr@gmail.com>
You got them! Jerry Miller Sent from my Sprint HTC EVO.
***And for the complete list in one place--here's what Jerry emailed after the synopsis last Sunday morning!***     Jerry Miller <jerry.miller@muohio.edu> Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 9:18 AM To: Kristy Fowler Kristy, Here are the answers for the puzzle I gave at the end of the synopsis: The five easier ones: 1. arm 2. ear 3. eye 4. leg 5. toe The five more difficult ones: 1. gum 2. hip 3. jaw 4. lip 5. rib (internal) Jerry   ***   Huzzah for MAIL!   * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *   Our group of volunteer co-editors distributes these free weekly synopses of the NPR puzzle segment.  You can read more about this free distribution at: http://groups.google.com/group/nprpuzzle/topics You can subscribe from this page, too.   To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: nprpuzzle-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com   For more options, visit this group at: http://groups.google.com/group/nprpuzzle?hl=en   If you want to remove your address from the former Topica list, send a blank email from your account to: nprpuzzle-unsubscribe@igc.topica.com   To change the email address of your subscription, remove the old one (from the old email account), and add the new Google subscription (from the new email account).  For more information about this list, and an archive of those distributed by Topica.com, visit: http://igc.topica.com/lists/nprpuzzle@igc.topica.com/read or, for more information about the Topica mailing service, visit: http://lists.topica.com/   NPR posts the weekly challenge (and the previous answer) on its World Wide Web page.  Go to www.npr.org, and "select" Weekend Edition Sunday from the drop-down combo box to the right of the big npr in the top left corner.  You can also pick up a recording of Weekend Edition Sunday program in the Real Audio format, after 1:00 p.m. Eastern time each Sunday.  In the alternative, for the text of the weekly listener challenge and a photo of Will, you can go directly to:  http://www.npr.org/programs/wesun/puzzle/ Podcasts are available at: http://www.npr.org/podcasts/   From: http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=4473090&uid=3ba205bf25adca5af473ab1102e03b75 How do I subscribe to this podcast? Copy the URL [above this paragraph] into your preferred podcasting tool software (e.g. Odeo, iTunes, iPodder). You will automatically receive this podcast each time it's published.   Follow Liane on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nprLiane   Links of interest: Merl Reagle’s article on constructing crossword puzzles, available at: http://www.crosswordtournament.com/articles/inq031697.htm World Puzzle Federation: http://www.worldpuzzle.org More of Ed Pegg Jr.'s puzzles are available at: http://www.mathpuzzle.com Joe Wander suggests: http://www.wordsmith.org/awad You can join Kathie Schneider's email list for accessible word and logic puzzles. To subscribe, send a blank email to: blind-puzzle-@googlegroups.com For Team USA of the World Puzzle Federation: http://wpc.puzzles.com/       * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *   CLUES & ANSWERS:       1.   The President who said, "The buck stops here."   HARRY TRUMAN     2.  It may hang over a rod, next to a sink  HAND TOWEL     3.  Skimpy article of apparel for women   HALTER TOP     4.  Part of a mountain road where it doubles back on itself   HAIRPIN TURN     5.  Olympic event that involves a 16-pound metal ball attached to a wire HAMMER THROW     6.  To perform a difficult surfing maneuver   HANG TEN     7.  Traditional luxury wool cloth for sports jackets   HARRIS TWEED     8.  Period in autumn when crops are brought in   HARVEST TIME     9.  If you constantly razz somebody, you're giving them a what?   HARD TIME     10. Theme song for Roy Rogers & Dale Evans  "HAPPY TRAILS"     11. Statement that isn't a lie, but also doesn't tell the whole story   HALF-TRUTH     12. Responding to the slightest provocation, as a temper   HAIR TRIGGER     13. G.I. Joe, Mr. Potato Head, and Lincoln Logs  HASBRO TOYS     14.. Female Abolitionist who helped run the Underground Railroad  HARRIET TUBMAN         End of NPR Puzzle Synopsis.   * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Happy Puzzling! Don't forget to submit your answer before Thursday so YOU can play the puzzle on the air with my next ex-husband, Will Shortz!

Conference report.

Okay, this year's tech conference in Austin may have been the BEST EVER. I had a blast, learned a lot--and could see Philip in the evenings since his daughter's house was only 3 miles from our hotel! 

The keynote speaker was Leigh Ann Tuohy, the real mom from the movie The Blind Side. (Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for playing her.) Ms. Tuohy was a hoot--a true Southern Belle--and she challenged us to go the extra mile for our disadvantaged students. She said something like, "It's real easy to teach kids like Collins and S.J. who have lots going for them. It's HARD to teach kids like my son, Michael. You may have to get to school early and then stay late to tutor him. You may have to get real creative on how you grade his progress. You may have to change your lesson plans. YOU CAN DO IT. That's why you went to that fancy Teacher College!"

While her speech was filled with lots of laughs, she really made us think about the kids who don't have a home of their own...or parents who check their homework and make them take baths...or parents at all, for that matter.

The second day, as we got seated for another General Session speaker, we knew it would be different because there were 3D glasses on every seat. Professional juggler Mark Nizer kept everyone in stitches while showing off LOTS of technology.

I learned TONS about software and collaboration and book trailers, won an online database from Capstone and a book from Linworth Publishing, and even got to pose with Moby...which will make Madison's PALS class freak out! (They LOVE Moby. We do special lessons in the library with these special students, and Tim & Moby teach us about seasons, the spine and nervous system, pioneers...you name it!)

 

In another session, about free Web 2.0 tools students can use to make multimedia projects, we learned about a site called ImageChef, which lets kids do cool things with their digital photos. I used a jpg of "Brittany," a piece of art I once bought as a gag gift...but then couldn't bear to part with. (She grows on you! Or maybe just me since my entire family has begged me to send her to Boston's MOBA, the Museum of Bad Art. They have threatened to hold an "Art Intervention" to rid the house of this particular piece of "art.") So, anyway, I took an existing photo of her and inserted it into a cool, customizable frame at ImageChef to let everyone know how I feel about the Brittany Masterpiece.

Yeah! That's right! No MOBA for Brittany...

But the best part of the Austin trip was getting see Bethany after the conference! (Oh, and for the second year in a row, Tabby got to join us for lunch at Chuy's...here's hoping we can make it an annual tradition!)

One of the highlights of the weekend was bowling a 148, good enough to beat Bethany and Philip. (Bethany won the first game, I won the second game--and then we quit and turned in our bowling shoes before Philip could beat us both!) Then we went to the restaurant where Bethany works, The Cottonseed Cafe & Deli, for dinner. DELICIOUS!

Thanks to Jori, the world's best house and dog sitter, for taking such good care of May Bee while I was gone--even though I know you gave her beer and let her get on the bed...and even though you covered up Brittany, so she couldn't watch you sleep. (I came home to find a sundress covering Brittany's face!)

What a wonderful week in Austin! (Bonus photos of Austin & Bethany's landscape art below.)

Keep Austin weird...and wonderful! Be back for TCEA again next year, I hope!

Our beloved Franklin Middle School...

...lives only in fond memories now.

Thanks (sort of?) to my old boss, Ms. Ashby, for the depressing photos. 

May the students of the soon-to-be-built Myra Martinez Elementary School love their school as much as we loved ours. ("Maroon and white! Fight, fight, FIGHT!")

A TRUE Valentine.

Checks Bethany's car on February 12th...and takes care of his girlfriend when she throws her back out on February 13th. :-)

The good news?

 I found that lizard we used to see in the library.

The bad news? 

I found that lizard we used to see in the library.

(The ANT TRAIL gave him away...)

4 of 5 dentists...and my DOG...prefer Crest!

Look what Miss Naughty did while Mommy was at work!

Well, at least we know May Bee's favorite flavor. She raided the bathroom trash (now that the kitchen trash cans lock, she had to resort to a less interesting location), pulled both tubes out onto the floor, ignored the POP-TOP Pro-Health flavor completely...but ATE THE SCREW TOP off the Clean Mint Extra Whitening to get to the good stuff inside.

Bethany and Philip both insist that I bear part of the blame since I'm the one who got her addicted in the first place. (When Dr. Hoefer found out that May Bee gets her teeth brushed every night, he said, "You realize your DOG has better dental hygiene than many of your STUDENTS, right?")

Oh, and while I was in Virginia, I mentioned to Jori who was house & dog sitting that May Bee might want her teeth brushed at night. She laughed and laughed and said she was NOT doing that. The next day, I got a text that she actually HAD broken down and brushed May Bee's teeth...and that she expected Kathy Bates to play her in the movie.

P.S. Last Saturday, Jori & I walked 3 miles at Red Bud Park, and she finally told me why she'd relented. When Jori got in bed, she had a perfect view of May Bee sitting, lonely and silent and pitiful, by the bathroom sink...with those big puppy-dog eyes pleading, "Joh-wee! Pleez bwush my teef like my weal mommy!"

R.I.P., Mr. Rafferty.

P.S. Yes, kids, videos used to be insane. (That's why we liked them.)

If you think I was the only one...

...snapping this sunset with a cellphone camera in the gas station parking lot, then you would be MISTAKEN.

Nuthin' finah than to be in Carolina...

You would have cried, too.

Thanks to the Youngs for inviting all the members of TEAM FALISHA to her graduation...and special thanks to Mr. Young for packing tissues for Gladys and me! (Oh, and thanks to Andrea for bringing the AWESOME camera and mad photo skills.)

Congratulations, Falisha! Your hard work has paid off...and good luck in grad school.

P.S. Team Falisha, meet you again in 2 years when she receives her master's degree hood!

Actual conversations.

Overheard recently at my house...

Him: "I think you're the biggest girl I've ever dated."

Her: "That's fantastic news. Can't tell you how excited I am to hear that."

Him: "No, not FAT! I don't mean FAT! Just BIG! You're just BIG-BONED. Your legs are like twice the size of mine."

Her: "You're not making it better."

...and...

Him: "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something. You know that last Nantucket Cranberry Pie you made?"

Her: "Umm...yeah?"

Him: "Those pecans weren't from my tree, were they?"

Her (after a pause): "Oh. Umm...no, they weren't. Those were from Larry & Belva's trees in the Hill Country. How could you possibly KNOW that?"

Him: "I know my own pecans."

Her: "That's CRAZY! Are you some kind of connoisseur? Some kind of PECAN-oisseur? Pecanoisseur!!! Bwah-haaa-haa!!" (spluttering and laughter and snorting)

Him: (silence)

And here are TWO early Christmas gift for History nerds like me: Enjoy the comedy stylings at Historic LOLs, a site with old-timey photos captioned for your entertainment, at:

http://history.icanhascheezburger.com

and the first cinematic Alice in Wonderland:

 

Open your home...and your heart.

P.S. My birthday yesterday was fun-filled and fabulous--except for when May Bee sprayed the veterinarian like a skunk with her anal glands (!)...and then two hours later, when I was at the doctor myself, wishing humans had the same option.

P.P.S. The vet laughed out loud when he brought May Bee back to the little exam room after her shots and I gasped, "What is that horrible smell? Is it...umm...FEAR?" He explained that sometimes dogs who are afraid will express their anal glands. (I had no idea. None. When Karen called last night to wish me a happy birthday, I asked if she ever heard of dogs doing that, and she proposed that only dogs whose hearts are black and evil could pull off such a diabolical stunt.)

Oh, wait...don't let those two revolting postscripts keep you from adopting a pet.

May Bee makes my day, every  single day! (What's a little fanny spray among friends, anyway?) People with pets live longer, happier lives...so share your home with a companion asap! Make a holiday wish come true for a homeless dog or cat...ADOPT!

First ornament on the tree...