tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60578132579630417032024-03-13T13:18:29.328-04:00The Victorian NeedleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-72990398680623619322021-12-30T23:21:00.005-05:002021-12-30T23:21:24.292-05:00On My Bookshelf: DecemberDecember has been a really rough month. Between what happened in Oxford (not far from where I live...) and just the general pandemic issues, I'm exhausted. There's a special kind of burnout that exists for teachers around this time of year. Looking back at 2020, I have a hard time even remembering a lot of that time, which is insane to think that I just lost months of my life.<div><br /></div><div>I've been reading quite a bit this time of year, <br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cousins-Karen-M-McManus/dp/0525708006">The Cousins</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By Karen M. McManus</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDREkyC32JkTO2QqP8tzxcGqk2CkLhBMazEfuzgNMR95x3AuJOIcWkvsJbhQjaEyIOAe2f9DHAT93m6qGRqXAsZdYFE5TVcRij1Pc8G50JCWXNJYfMbAnZk5nSt0PTsLV0c7qxRCllFI9CjavmibTPS1K8e-ytmtIhLJuX-9X41yE12tTHCPA7wSmF=s2550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDREkyC32JkTO2QqP8tzxcGqk2CkLhBMazEfuzgNMR95x3AuJOIcWkvsJbhQjaEyIOAe2f9DHAT93m6qGRqXAsZdYFE5TVcRij1Pc8G50JCWXNJYfMbAnZk5nSt0PTsLV0c7qxRCllFI9CjavmibTPS1K8e-ytmtIhLJuX-9X41yE12tTHCPA7wSmF=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me being honest...I loved the cover of this book. And I have a whole army of cousins that could take up an entire series. What I really liked was how this book kept most of the plot points mysterious throughout. It started out slow, and then I realized at one point I couldn't put it down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book takes different perspective for each chapter; Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah are the grandchildren of the incredibly wealthy and reclusive Mildred Story. She cut off every member of her family 24 years earlier, and sent a mysterious note to her grandchildren, inviting them to work on the island. Upon arrival, they realize there is much more to the family past. Everyone has secrets, and they can be deadly when people start poking around. I did enjoy this book enough to recommend it to my students!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Geekerella-Fangirl-Fairy-Tale-Once/dp/1683690435">Geekerella: A Fangirl Fairytale</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By Ashley Poston</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU8kw3KyH46AsuTaK4lc3tO24RYTi2X6VScG2n8uogpOiT1Dl57M56tqlaq2D7XomoUVAU9g3sgkoCEqxbMsWSKSpMzrcpaDN_gbqabwi3acernfI1DroXArKem4DL7810AxqfXsNit4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU8kw3KyH46AsuTaK4lc3tO24RYTi2X6VScG2n8uogpOiT1Dl57M56tqlaq2D7XomoUVAU9g3sgkoCEqxbMsWSKSpMzrcpaDN_gbqabwi3acernfI1DroXArKem4DL7810AxqfXsNit4/w210-h320/image.png" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another pick from the bargain bin. Why does Books-A-Million think this should be on sale? I prefer the word "nerd" for myself, but I just had to snag it because of the name. I'm a sucker for any interpretation of Cinderella, especially modern ones! There's just something sweet about that storyline, which is why I imagine it remains popular after all these years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elle is an orphan, living with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. They do a number of terrible things to her, including forcing her to cook and clean, and generally just being emotionally abusive. Her father was involved in the fandom of a particular science-fiction show and shared that with Elle before he died. As a teen she writes a blog about the series and has a mysterious connection with someone claiming to be a character. Through a series of twists and turns, she honors the memory of her parents and learns about herself. My students are going to love this one! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><u><i>~Kristen<br /></i></u></b><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-14185628686228112012021-12-10T15:30:00.001-05:002021-12-10T15:30:00.206-05:00A Quick Weekend of Museum/Wedding<p>Early December isn't usually the busiest time of year for me. Sure, I'm shopping for presents or making them up, but at least it's a calm sort of busy work. I rarely travel beyond the mall, and even then I try to do my shopping online. So this trip was different!</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Hr1Bw74aU_mJeUolLXpT3L-dF6B06KP9ZPUrNrRpMxfsd-WI2_HGhl8fFsTlh23jnWgDwGdMVWLUoD4Q6hkt7XWUqZfEkoW0H1MMExc3OZcD68jB8yIuY6zPQrh1-aqgSK2m-ze1V2ZvFuukXC56Xbdxcd4dlpn7oTQ5TXvLNHDYX8Ls2iOnRtvO=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Hr1Bw74aU_mJeUolLXpT3L-dF6B06KP9ZPUrNrRpMxfsd-WI2_HGhl8fFsTlh23jnWgDwGdMVWLUoD4Q6hkt7XWUqZfEkoW0H1MMExc3OZcD68jB8yIuY6zPQrh1-aqgSK2m-ze1V2ZvFuukXC56Xbdxcd4dlpn7oTQ5TXvLNHDYX8Ls2iOnRtvO=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The first time I've been on a plane since 2015</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We attended a wedding in New Jersey, Newark to be more specific. We passed New York City on our way to the hotel, the skyline looking more like a block of children's toys. There were two parties, one on Friday and the other on Saturday. I danced so much that I had a few blisters on my feet; I maybe pulled a muscle in my hip too. It was absolutely gorgeous, and they did an excellent job of planning the whole thing, from start to finish.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_lbxxO2X1sr1Kz25fbsveSxnwcAeDmTt2SRO0wyX5yvbZFrKJx_XNHMHx_iPBuefyI29hZNNzybrEGSUmiTJepaLNk-FtXnKYf9lwV4kMu2gfrsoQ3VI-yU3XKddIIAgGGlaLOYEfTisxXHHeO3i4R4iQXgLLd-jg-wQOfEKvwuzwj562evxqvGA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_lbxxO2X1sr1Kz25fbsveSxnwcAeDmTt2SRO0wyX5yvbZFrKJx_XNHMHx_iPBuefyI29hZNNzybrEGSUmiTJepaLNk-FtXnKYf9lwV4kMu2gfrsoQ3VI-yU3XKddIIAgGGlaLOYEfTisxXHHeO3i4R4iQXgLLd-jg-wQOfEKvwuzwj562evxqvGA=s320" width="240" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihMiD2uD2QdrKwYzY-HrLfiUbHw-gCtUeQZMkQfZozjpmaaTa8-GiTDC6pyR5QNfHF-3FhMBK9dhWQ9RknyTngNrLi1jvKOtDZIHLANyx8DsrgAcpD8EncKxLTSrcXFMqF7qLpVT8gN3GSICK8OqgY1zvH5nqCStl8XZFJJlqjRR7V9vlmfdZb0FR2=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihMiD2uD2QdrKwYzY-HrLfiUbHw-gCtUeQZMkQfZozjpmaaTa8-GiTDC6pyR5QNfHF-3FhMBK9dhWQ9RknyTngNrLi1jvKOtDZIHLANyx8DsrgAcpD8EncKxLTSrcXFMqF7qLpVT8gN3GSICK8OqgY1zvH5nqCStl8XZFJJlqjRR7V9vlmfdZb0FR2=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0wDURh-0LKkcW0-ojtQqyDzXMyj7xhJTZDSUsiFqrSCLS_BMNJM9gaTl_cw40orM4HmnT-XfWQ8iYgQBwQG7AMKl4od3C7hMULONj0vFX4gOJDk-n-48_A1iYttrty2Bv_ne3ynso_hd0rdJcb4plooM_l5aM00edlxwyPHKRkCQQd6m5A1ZouqaP=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0wDURh-0LKkcW0-ojtQqyDzXMyj7xhJTZDSUsiFqrSCLS_BMNJM9gaTl_cw40orM4HmnT-XfWQ8iYgQBwQG7AMKl4od3C7hMULONj0vFX4gOJDk-n-48_A1iYttrty2Bv_ne3ynso_hd0rdJcb4plooM_l5aM00edlxwyPHKRkCQQd6m5A1ZouqaP=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTGqcKuLCCmjMEzfS1KFHwZf2lgDr6k5ikbQ2eFaHJ9TufXmO4ffZGrVdhsh2LyS2kmCabetoDQn6fOafSpjgaadHp6XWZw6mkX7iM3cIlBfLZMm5yv4KS_bSVW5CTyq7BfWJdKOAcdNerrc7XOmZCaCR6TQEePKUriiSA9qsCg6zgYf51ZGP2w8eL=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTGqcKuLCCmjMEzfS1KFHwZf2lgDr6k5ikbQ2eFaHJ9TufXmO4ffZGrVdhsh2LyS2kmCabetoDQn6fOafSpjgaadHp6XWZw6mkX7iM3cIlBfLZMm5yv4KS_bSVW5CTyq7BfWJdKOAcdNerrc7XOmZCaCR6TQEePKUriiSA9qsCg6zgYf51ZGP2w8eL=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ1pEEhIda5p601v0X6VppPujf2B6D5I4QQ2UfbhiAvJiREbGF0YXlMuBZSmDn9rpPF_1RMST7onpdE97VhGKv7591nH5R-RaCHAKdfygdV2t1PnGe4WSQCM4Owv_4oSpaJI8_lh-6ClzifuKWNinUa_dWxnY-SAH9DBfLZS7cc3qC5pVGoZy2g6Bx=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Saturday we had the opportunity to check out some of the local history. Being so close to New York, there were dozens of museums and historic sites to visit. We settled on the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJwVyEsKgCAUAEBa1imEaN0rMX0eoVv4g6TUUCGPX-2GGfo5zMBqQQadnKAJNFRtuCDlyJmxEhoKoTWgMOBWB1bvY0g5-1LTE0lU1aeoLnL8kb35eKt8vkhsG8Q&q=morristown+national+historical+park&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS969US969&oq=morristown+nation&aqs=chrome.1.0i355i512j46i175i199i512j69i57j0i512j46i175i199i512l2j0i512l2j46i175i199i512j0i512.3302j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Morristown National Historical Park</a>, the site of one of George Washington's encampments during the Revolutionary War.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the winter of 1779, Washington's army camped at Jockey Hollow. It was the coldest, snowiest winter on record, and yet they still survived. The park features a museum built in the early 20th century with exhibits about the encampment. The exhibits held many artifacts from the 18th century related to the site, and I spied a few familiar items. There was also a decent video that gave good context for the museum's importance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ1pEEhIda5p601v0X6VppPujf2B6D5I4QQ2UfbhiAvJiREbGF0YXlMuBZSmDn9rpPF_1RMST7onpdE97VhGKv7591nH5R-RaCHAKdfygdV2t1PnGe4WSQCM4Owv_4oSpaJI8_lh-6ClzifuKWNinUa_dWxnY-SAH9DBfLZS7cc3qC5pVGoZy2g6Bx=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8E7bN0Nw-vE6rrLqg5I0QjkB578e5x1Wv5Spf40ftxKaCytAWBMSRFJqFvkoo_HO8chejG0vVc1qXGScrjj5U8FQmsE1vId9lDDsdD0bOywp68Hyd4QMEvRTQVaIp7gxhjrqPM1g3BpLaIKl8APW5FwZpmISXlho2KunJa_V8WUzeZ4THk-WsxDJ_=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8E7bN0Nw-vE6rrLqg5I0QjkB578e5x1Wv5Spf40ftxKaCytAWBMSRFJqFvkoo_HO8chejG0vVc1qXGScrjj5U8FQmsE1vId9lDDsdD0bOywp68Hyd4QMEvRTQVaIp7gxhjrqPM1g3BpLaIKl8APW5FwZpmISXlho2KunJa_V8WUzeZ4THk-WsxDJ_=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgtUnIkNGOJJsC8KNvpD0B-3MUCLbYNxP6dmOrQ73iYvDDEsoC4zuXAI35seMNwpvv1B8AdAyk1dPbMr0Rb63X9muxpGlSiMQCuZ9NRiW-AcsD_7pA2zSIFD4IJhblzKwlF2uukgF3VfcgVr2gGY3fLPP_cm5iBHnqkiA1LvsLkM3DmXUDKnEZUmTc=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgtUnIkNGOJJsC8KNvpD0B-3MUCLbYNxP6dmOrQ73iYvDDEsoC4zuXAI35seMNwpvv1B8AdAyk1dPbMr0Rb63X9muxpGlSiMQCuZ9NRiW-AcsD_7pA2zSIFD4IJhblzKwlF2uukgF3VfcgVr2gGY3fLPP_cm5iBHnqkiA1LvsLkM3DmXUDKnEZUmTc=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpMPGHjnJmvvUmEaZATPuNHomSZwRNdcPHrHpEx9Su8FmaNLTo-JqxQ2j1jsjLdTRAhJDsk6PI4dwhCLssAT2Tv0wNS8yJBeGcaICjonsRaGMTIiuAsfJqPL2voDJjBdk8sWR1ry0DT8J4Fyyrj2qFAblJUWPe0q9eDE9E9cUC0_osz9E8yCJHSGbD=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpMPGHjnJmvvUmEaZATPuNHomSZwRNdcPHrHpEx9Su8FmaNLTo-JqxQ2j1jsjLdTRAhJDsk6PI4dwhCLssAT2Tv0wNS8yJBeGcaICjonsRaGMTIiuAsfJqPL2voDJjBdk8sWR1ry0DT8J4Fyyrj2qFAblJUWPe0q9eDE9E9cUC0_osz9E8yCJHSGbD=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpHguKAIni-zKBZbIdSEhj-3dp13VEKURytgkCAQMXLoLddOpUKHIWNnGYML895xnKoZI17IUYcKbhDzZuUVxjPeZoFS7yBpCn1GLLmRjkWzO_YSn5CW4heDZium5WEdwF0As51uEvwNG0qBjqh_lwioO_k93dPX-rwbKrjqDtUZjjQFT0VVG-IZjH=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpHguKAIni-zKBZbIdSEhj-3dp13VEKURytgkCAQMXLoLddOpUKHIWNnGYML895xnKoZI17IUYcKbhDzZuUVxjPeZoFS7yBpCn1GLLmRjkWzO_YSn5CW4heDZium5WEdwF0As51uEvwNG0qBjqh_lwioO_k93dPX-rwbKrjqDtUZjjQFT0VVG-IZjH=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEielO34oLnMOHELc6Poqs_r9KtzIwBwey1DDOm8rMmVsZuaHMwFp_kTpIKodnLT_rMOxHj6KAm8MX8O1meI8pRkme_c7Aj7Cp7pxkZqslLxtS6EXv0IXtFOVvvFm_hxRCXXQ2U60-6JVr4IgHSRNHnB7cw5nGdVnVK9OQSd_vaUpC3wgwPvXNjT79N9=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEielO34oLnMOHELc6Poqs_r9KtzIwBwey1DDOm8rMmVsZuaHMwFp_kTpIKodnLT_rMOxHj6KAm8MX8O1meI8pRkme_c7Aj7Cp7pxkZqslLxtS6EXv0IXtFOVvvFm_hxRCXXQ2U60-6JVr4IgHSRNHnB7cw5nGdVnVK9OQSd_vaUpC3wgwPvXNjT79N9=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The trip wouldn't be complete without visiting at least one historic house. The Ford Mansion was built in 1774 by Jacob Ford Jr.; he died only a short time after its completion. It was the largest house in the area, and was surrounded by a working farm. The Fords were wealthy, but more importantly they were patriots to the American Revolution. She agreed to let Washington and his many aids live in the house while she and her four children occupied only two rooms. The winter was bitter cold and they crowded into the rooms and halls. It was a strained existence, but it was necessary to the creation of the country as we know it today. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO9kdWQOusbE2aU2kGwpi2I-BhJhMtuZxIrauh__cWONhOjd_3qiBxnYwXHNd4m7yIlveGhJspqSHCF9hm2BMfhtdDfvM6QKFu8P0U4KT-064JhUCej5PihD91vOqL88eLL9kyKD6vQGT_pza5wRLksRO1Kr8ljkzoirstrWYSRHYNMLnCV3hieLA8=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO9kdWQOusbE2aU2kGwpi2I-BhJhMtuZxIrauh__cWONhOjd_3qiBxnYwXHNd4m7yIlveGhJspqSHCF9hm2BMfhtdDfvM6QKFu8P0U4KT-064JhUCej5PihD91vOqL88eLL9kyKD6vQGT_pza5wRLksRO1Kr8ljkzoirstrWYSRHYNMLnCV3hieLA8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It was odd stepping on original flooring that George and Martha Washington once stepped on. There wasn't much left of the original furniture, except a chair. It makes me want to buy a historic house and live there forever, but I know well enough the work that goes into it. Instead, I'll keep visiting and pretend, even just for a little while. Also, there were a lot of goodies at the gift shop!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizyzDaPI7oq_q3k-sZRn_tZIu5GeybQVx6WbrgwQBcTUqhOXFwvhmbZxzWB8nb2EcYHmPq64eCZkBcsHxjkzQYo-YX5YwiLfZJ-2RG586sdOmaHaroYWVVJ_xbX3drji6oPuO6qWop4feZaaHIE6YM7c01YxFjgdeOSXmyOybneDAcvYdDfN0seSOI=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizyzDaPI7oq_q3k-sZRn_tZIu5GeybQVx6WbrgwQBcTUqhOXFwvhmbZxzWB8nb2EcYHmPq64eCZkBcsHxjkzQYo-YX5YwiLfZJ-2RG586sdOmaHaroYWVVJ_xbX3drji6oPuO6qWop4feZaaHIE6YM7c01YxFjgdeOSXmyOybneDAcvYdDfN0seSOI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6LYgXGf7VEFBD5BrNE2SUOy5uPszk2p7gFIl0E4jaXMmWXnHnPrqf8IE-Evevu13Umq-dNQ5uqD2wlKBEFsLyVLKcLw_yrtB_Bs0jaUjnLTDPpshZzZ8f9n2yMNMwsDsLQAI4yr9EcuVF-YLylJKRIIytntia7i4WtvpFbhUR2qbno2ZSNMUN7-qT=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqX2V1OrX2V7M7fgwgsj1OxZL6HZDaNwWtqVVUvYz73is99Zz7qo3Piq5ZqmoI0shld3Noyq5oyNSEvMTWRRA09nqnpp5A01g6HZSjB6hv1lM6FDjWWDikLSPRGpfJsjLjjzojfYRIfzcdUMW1CAAhTDgSWpW3hgCjMy9eyikneWnmqkfZij8qjMwH=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqX2V1OrX2V7M7fgwgsj1OxZL6HZDaNwWtqVVUvYz73is99Zz7qo3Piq5ZqmoI0shld3Noyq5oyNSEvMTWRRA09nqnpp5A01g6HZSjB6hv1lM6FDjWWDikLSPRGpfJsjLjjzojfYRIfzcdUMW1CAAhTDgSWpW3hgCjMy9eyikneWnmqkfZij8qjMwH=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLDzUQB0YhbAUkbhn2YWMchivsrcPVK2x8qtmAqKW-pwzG5Ju5rL0YldrcEwA7e5FO-W7T7mV9c9zJAYnwwyGem7Y1zNo_5fLiDHqzJ7KtOTy2OzjuYDI9IQeHLKrUwQT2kIvquO06hTKG72Hso2gAEkzBq-iIvFs4oc_VSZ8kJnUijY5qbpkh7H6v=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLDzUQB0YhbAUkbhn2YWMchivsrcPVK2x8qtmAqKW-pwzG5Ju5rL0YldrcEwA7e5FO-W7T7mV9c9zJAYnwwyGem7Y1zNo_5fLiDHqzJ7KtOTy2OzjuYDI9IQeHLKrUwQT2kIvquO06hTKG72Hso2gAEkzBq-iIvFs4oc_VSZ8kJnUijY5qbpkh7H6v=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was a beautiful weekend, and when we returned to Michigan I was utterly exhausted. It took a few days to recover enough even to write this post. I think I'll take a nice break before Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-7497212975482798882021-12-01T15:30:00.001-05:002021-12-01T15:30:00.196-05:00A Little Winter Hair ChangeWhen you meet me in person, you might notice a few things right away. I don't wear makeup, and I'm really lazy about my hair. In fact, I'm lazy about a lot of things, but specifically I love to be comfortable. Nothing too tight or itchy; I operate at a pajama level of comfort on a daily basis in all of my wardrobe. My hair goes up in a matching ponytail too.<div><br /></div><div>My lack of haircuts has been a lifelong problem. I blink and suddenly it's been a year and my hair is very long. I'll do a nice dye, perhaps a cute cut, and then forget again. Add COVID into the mix, and it took two years this time. Remember when I dyed the ends blue on my birthday in 2019? That bleached section is now blonde and looking scraggly. It was way past time for this haircut!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk9MlDjUa6_IGg2czkgV6qxw5iIqHQ2vgoWP8f-5GrPjiPrCnHusraB76i7bbmwu7hGXqYnn4Kg1qFd8GLr09IbTNGSskdhWVIH3CTSAEpbK1CtMZX_vYxioroTU11qYtk9pLXAKRtWI/s2048/20211126_090744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk9MlDjUa6_IGg2czkgV6qxw5iIqHQ2vgoWP8f-5GrPjiPrCnHusraB76i7bbmwu7hGXqYnn4Kg1qFd8GLr09IbTNGSskdhWVIH3CTSAEpbK1CtMZX_vYxioroTU11qYtk9pLXAKRtWI/s320/20211126_090744.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLniAxi9uN0y9IpDZA1hzFAIvycoanPnsOR74U8FCb_DktNvBKf_S-croIqtwOiYcC3ZtpXpjKvaXCMLJ0iVnYkPc0f2WFqmljaVqNlEXICFq42sinhrNT1_sIGDvphIZadUUCMmjQkz4/s2048/20211126_091631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLniAxi9uN0y9IpDZA1hzFAIvycoanPnsOR74U8FCb_DktNvBKf_S-croIqtwOiYcC3ZtpXpjKvaXCMLJ0iVnYkPc0f2WFqmljaVqNlEXICFq42sinhrNT1_sIGDvphIZadUUCMmjQkz4/s320/20211126_091631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsV_OsY_dyyXhuVqqKxclYY-D3AJNu6kcKkodOrh-_Ey3fzLjJHc8ZfPs2FcZnMvHuJuVmJ2QrBRTtZwBdZj0xKUQZwDI2q7HXRZ0G0iLkvqypNE7HQID2huFfFLyytA88_MJjAxtdps/s2048/20211126_100358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsV_OsY_dyyXhuVqqKxclYY-D3AJNu6kcKkodOrh-_Ey3fzLjJHc8ZfPs2FcZnMvHuJuVmJ2QrBRTtZwBdZj0xKUQZwDI2q7HXRZ0G0iLkvqypNE7HQID2huFfFLyytA88_MJjAxtdps/s320/20211126_100358.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the end, I was able to donate 13 inches of hair to <a href="http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/">Children with Hair Loss,</a> and I hope someone gets a fun wig out it. To be honest, I hadn't realized how heavy my hair really was, and the constant pulling on my neck and scalp caused headaches. I'm also excited to be able to style it again; the length made it difficult to do much of anything, like curls.</div><div><br /></div><div>It feels really nice to have this change. I know there are different cultures that see hair as sacred, and it can also carry emotion. Considering my illness last year, a former toxic work environment, and the terrible school year, my hair felt extra heavy. It feels odd to say this, but I almost feel like a bunch of negativity and pain is now gone, as well as grief. It's hard to explain these emotions! At the same time, one thing is constant; I feel better, and I want to stay that way.<br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I hope you like my new haircut! I'll be twirling my new locks around my fingers for the rest of the week. And maybe adding more headbands to my daily wardrobe?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-70210695020763112492021-11-29T15:30:00.001-05:002021-11-29T15:30:00.187-05:00On My Bookshelf: November<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">November has been busy! Between student events, getting my shots, and trying to keep the house together, I feel like I'm constantly running. There isn't a day when I can just sit home and chill...but after a year/plus of quarantine, I don't mind it one bit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This month's reading centered heavily around my students. I find myself constantly at the bookstore now, scanning the shelves for something they might like. They're ferocious readers, snatching books out of my hands as quick as I bring them in my room. I have to watch out for my fingers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So enjoy this list. There's a few on here that I highly recommend! </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mexican-Gothic/dp/B082TKH2K7">Mexican Gothic</a><br />By Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEdAFK9wjgs5PEI0_VnzHaxvwPyej5BTqDaNvOrZxaalfqq3Q_wRKctvxFDyO6RsNchVE3KazNPfDKaozwaJS2vdieCMl9si_AL1BA4AeaAlRcm52lGRQAvu2z9aHX8Mg3POfxNFdQOE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="297" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEdAFK9wjgs5PEI0_VnzHaxvwPyej5BTqDaNvOrZxaalfqq3Q_wRKctvxFDyO6RsNchVE3KazNPfDKaozwaJS2vdieCMl9si_AL1BA4AeaAlRcm52lGRQAvu2z9aHX8Mg3POfxNFdQOE/" width="158" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For someone who loves suspense, horror, and all horrible things in general, I am surprisingly not often reading books in those genres. This one kept popping up in my recommended list, so much so that I finally broke down and bought it. I was not disappointed! It follows the true gothic style of writing that made gloomy castles and droopy Victorian parlors all the rage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The story follows Noemí Taboada, a rich young Mexican woman who is tasked with checking in on her sick cousin in the mountains with her husband's family. She finds a creepy, creaky old Victorian mansion and so many secrets. It's a slow burn, and you don't know just how horrible everything is until it sneaks up right on you. I couldn't put this one down, and if you're a fan of horror or suspense, I would 100% expect you to read this!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">2. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Internment</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By Samira Ahmed</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMdnWbETa9Yy1JCfGRJmNKOwFVqnrU4N6QthB2zORkYVdiIjxZ20XD567cyXhSTc6XbP0Kr-7QJ0uwyk9jYr1ICdjHOU4SeNuBf_HBtIPzIogVNDHjKePq3obQiwHy1MNLYFrLBFBmN8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="419" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMdnWbETa9Yy1JCfGRJmNKOwFVqnrU4N6QthB2zORkYVdiIjxZ20XD567cyXhSTc6XbP0Kr-7QJ0uwyk9jYr1ICdjHOU4SeNuBf_HBtIPzIogVNDHjKePq3obQiwHy1MNLYFrLBFBmN8/" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book settled deep in the pit of my stomach. I found it on sale at Books A Million, and without thinking I snapped it up. YA novels on sale are the best thing ever; you can pay $3 for something the students will absolutely love. I read this one in a single day, it was so good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Layla is seventeen and living in a version of the United States that is in the middle of a crisis. Muslims are targeted after a terrorist attack, and the government responds in a very similar way to the internment of Japanese-American citizens during WWII, as well as victims of the Holocaust. It was chilling to see the similarities laid bare on the page. She and her family are sent to an internment camp, and the story is horrific. But there was a part of me that kept thinking...what if...could it...what would I do? And a book that makes you question yourself is one that you should read.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JALISCO-Latina-Superhero-Graphic-Novel/dp/173390932X">Jalisco</a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">By Kayden Phoenix and Amanda Julina Gonzalez </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys9LGLYqhrtFc1D0PW-D4UNpmjmA_U7Wd9_LJulNk9XaRA_rwnjeR244u9O__YeGLTuL_A_2l6UDgLXTuk1vZvLRcnC0SaqSLU9tlHMIJB3TR1ioLPAVQnxxUoxAYV9yzTDKmixHMyvs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys9LGLYqhrtFc1D0PW-D4UNpmjmA_U7Wd9_LJulNk9XaRA_rwnjeR244u9O__YeGLTuL_A_2l6UDgLXTuk1vZvLRcnC0SaqSLU9tlHMIJB3TR1ioLPAVQnxxUoxAYV9yzTDKmixHMyvs/" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm always looking for graphic novels to add to my ever-growing collection. In keeping with Hispanic Heritage Month reading only a few weeks before, I settled on this book. The illustrations are colorful, the dialogue easy to follow and digest. Now it was the subject matter that required processing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story follows Jalisco, a young woman whose mother is kidnapped. She is taken in by a group of women who work to end the kidnappings and murders, and she joins them in their efforts. Despite the bright graphics, there's sinister undertones of the stories. It's an adult story told from a young woman's perspective. It's simultaneously brave and heartbreaking. I liked it, though I don't know if I need to read it again anytime soon. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Assassin-Game-Kirsty-McKay/dp/1492632759/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=the+assassin+game&qid=1637169234&qsid=134-9052351-2494239&sr=8-3&sres=1492632759%2CB08M4H844P%2CB00MFV1AVA%2CB00E8KZQO8%2C0744018609%2C0744016355%2CB00U646MS4%2CB01DJRQYTG%2CB00EVWZHLK%2CB00VQORC0K%2CB087XR383W%2CB00C5R84VS%2CB08PRRNP1Y%2CB093X68ZWP%2C1419752758%2CB084M7N1HS">The Assassin Game</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">By Kirsty McKay</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="placeholder" height="240" id="b94f4d66f3edf" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" style="background-color: #d8d8d8; background-image: url('https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/materialiconsextended/insert_photo/v6/grey600-24dp/1x/baseline_insert_photo_grey600_24dp.png'); background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; opacity: 0.6;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Full disclosure on this one; I bought it because I liked the cover. It's a little sweet, creepy, and definitely something I knew my students would like. The story follows Cate, a student on an exclusive island boarding school for gifted students. Every year they participate in a game where students are "killed" by pranks, and the winner becomes a notorious legend. At first the pranks are simple and follow the rules. Eventually things take a dangerous turn, and despite police involvement, they continue the game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The premise of this book is fantastic, and I love how the author has created the point of view of the main character. There's hints and clues dropped along the way, but really it kept me guessing until the end. It's hard to keep me from guessing the end of a book, or at least predicting, and this one did just that. I'll be losing this one to a very eager teenage reader soon!</div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-32645862649809668402021-11-18T15:00:00.001-05:002021-11-22T13:39:46.165-05:00The Cold is Here!<p> Finally, FINALLY, we have frost. That first bite in the air, the lingering cold in our chest when you take a deep breath...Michigan at her finest. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYnsTzs41oeOPzSac1r-Jvd0iTh-xvAKGY4L6EMH1-ihdZn9eI5hAXBIVENtzoV9IdCr2WI_6yMnvBGuXyiM8v6rOodRKjDoki9jUR_EvzEKFsZG8ytzrSoMz5iQ9Ipr_XPFIdSJpjmc/s2048/20211108_221056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYnsTzs41oeOPzSac1r-Jvd0iTh-xvAKGY4L6EMH1-ihdZn9eI5hAXBIVENtzoV9IdCr2WI_6yMnvBGuXyiM8v6rOodRKjDoki9jUR_EvzEKFsZG8ytzrSoMz5iQ9Ipr_XPFIdSJpjmc/s320/20211108_221056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This year we're trying to plan homemade gifts, and I'm currently in planning mode. I always love a good Christmas ornament, preferable with year and some customization. Of course I'll destroy every surface of our kitchen with some goopy concoction I'll throw together. Hopefully it will turn out well enough to give away as presents. Hopefully!<div><br /></div><div>We still have a few things to do before real winter can hit. We need to button up the boat safely, take in all the lawn furniture, and clean out our dog run. I'd like to put up the Christmas decorations earlier this year if I can. We're lucky our cats don't turn into little assassins when we set up the tree.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9l7LpPgx6wDXR0nIqIhCAr-J-zRs06e_GKla8RvpPfwe_b0PTztXuq6EmMAXQHrZTC0xlqxxSEyrolzZs8CwL1kiGlS1bJUkurIys5CWywjN5uSpV3jszfQVUehXSBtdfqJxuuB1iZk/s2048/20211106_113522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9l7LpPgx6wDXR0nIqIhCAr-J-zRs06e_GKla8RvpPfwe_b0PTztXuq6EmMAXQHrZTC0xlqxxSEyrolzZs8CwL1kiGlS1bJUkurIys5CWywjN5uSpV3jszfQVUehXSBtdfqJxuuB1iZk/s320/20211106_113522.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm remembering that this time last year...that I didn't remember much of everything. I had that nasty COVID brain fog for months on end. I don't remember what I did or ate for Thanksgiving, and it felt like I woke up from a dream in February. While I still feel some effects, I'm back to my old self in a number of ways. At least I'll be able to taste the food more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As COVID still rages, I'm wondering what that will mean for the next season. I know that reenacting will not be the same for me. I can't remain the same; there are people who literally threatened me harm, lurking at events behind petticoats and smiles. There are people who completely said/did terrible things during the pandemic, and I don't think I can stomach being in the same room with them. There are a lot of things wrong with reenacting, and something needs to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So with that, I'm not thinking about making my next outfit. Instead I'm planning on my next "life move," and what that looks like for my hobbies and free time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'll see. At least I have the distraction of the holidays to keep thinking...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>Kristen</u></i></b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-9647408193293090242021-11-15T15:30:00.001-05:002021-11-15T15:30:00.180-05:00The Edmund Fitzgerald 46th AnniversaryAnyone who lives in Michigan has at least some interaction with lakes. It seems like there's a marina or boat around every corner. I grew up knowing the lakes in all their glory, even though I was quite decidedly afraid of water. Living in a lakeside town meant understanding the colors of the sky and the churn of the waves. Most of my friends growing up had boat licenses too, though I tended to admire the lakes from shore.<div><br /></div><div>The biggest of our "big" lakes is Lake Superior (I've spent more time on Huron and Michigan). It is the farthest north, deepest, and coldest. There are so many shipwrecks around the lakes, and Lake Superior holds perhaps the most famous vessel underneath her waves. (<a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a7910b2eaa04450aaff93fa9de4821b8">Click here to see a map of shipwrecks</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Edmund Fitzgerald</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhweBCel81y-J0SWPy9Q8dxy5rt_szcxVJcu2CJWQvHmX0mRHyrC_1ErCAoxqV-OEuxyeD6khJjvOa2PSOX-GYXxeyWFT8WtRCNL2NeGLj-hCgI5kJBFySi8zJrfc_iCCaWwf8mGR4qs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1920" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhweBCel81y-J0SWPy9Q8dxy5rt_szcxVJcu2CJWQvHmX0mRHyrC_1ErCAoxqV-OEuxyeD6khJjvOa2PSOX-GYXxeyWFT8WtRCNL2NeGLj-hCgI5kJBFySi8zJrfc_iCCaWwf8mGR4qs/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Built in Detroit in 1957, she was the biggest ship on the lakes at the time. On the day of her launch a man watching from the pier had a heart attack and died. Other than that ominous start, she sailed safely throughout her nearly 20 year career on the lakes, shipping iron ore across the great watery expanse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then came that fateful November storm. The choppy waters turn monstrous, too dangerous to even observe from a pier or dock. As someone who personally avoids water whenever possible, November always gave me a good reason to continue doing so. It's as if Mother Nature gives a resounding "NO" to anyone looking to traverse her lakes.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the Edmund Fitzgerald had a schedule, and this would be the last run of the season. She left port from Wisconsin on November 9th, 1975. Captain McSorely did not anticipate a terrible trip, especially since a nearby storm was predicted to go south. The trip started out well enough on Lake Superior.</div><div><br /></div><div>That calm would not last. Eventually the waters would grow so rough that the captain would request a nearby ship, the Anderson, to stay close. They pushed through the waves and wind but kept up radio communication. Eventually the Fitzgerald lost radar and was going blind into dangerous waters. Yet they still persevered. </div><div><br /></div><div>After 7pm the Anderson sent one last communication on the radio, asking how they were doing with their "problems." McSorely said;</div><div><br /></div><div>"We are holding our own." </div><div><br /></div><div>Then the storm converged into a white mess of snow and water. When the weather cleared, the Anderson, who had been within sight distance, only saw the clear expanse of Lake Superior water. The Fitzgerald was no more. Search parties later discovered only small pieces of the ship; battered and broken they were torn apart as she sank. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhi760KNuTbXQnf5fWYMUNvs0srKyLlIwwnVxsMzSKevxQaA04WYkrkIs-JPGLXTxOvzggAwAdcyFHtN3kBsWFuW7YfuPIzDPUlwhi2nD73RzrHEDdJrtP3Gt59Aa7GgQQMaM2IGVJJ0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="300" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhi760KNuTbXQnf5fWYMUNvs0srKyLlIwwnVxsMzSKevxQaA04WYkrkIs-JPGLXTxOvzggAwAdcyFHtN3kBsWFuW7YfuPIzDPUlwhi2nD73RzrHEDdJrtP3Gt59Aa7GgQQMaM2IGVJJ0/" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPqkAZ4pVZzOqwyOo8J_vlc8iRCMbiHl6Mjgla3TLxdfvGZm95J_4Dqj-xVJ26FEPgfgVMKyM-2S21YhlMZn_jcl_w_8H3rQR5wTjfHOCy-jusURCAwuTMU3QLzDU_Ao8CV9ASfsQs2M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPqkAZ4pVZzOqwyOo8J_vlc8iRCMbiHl6Mjgla3TLxdfvGZm95J_4Dqj-xVJ26FEPgfgVMKyM-2S21YhlMZn_jcl_w_8H3rQR5wTjfHOCy-jusURCAwuTMU3QLzDU_Ao8CV9ASfsQs2M/" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Only a few days later they located the Fitzgerald in two pieces at the bottom of Lake Superior. For decades, dive teams and submersibles would explore the wreckage but did not discover the exact reason she sank. A rogue wave? Flooding in the cargo hold? Shoaling? To this day there is evidence to support different theories, but never an exact reason. As for the bodies, they were discovered later, though families have chosen not to disturb the gravesite any further, and now it is not possible to dive again.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gordon Lightfoot's song also made the wreck a popular part of Michigan legend and lore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9vST6hVRj2A" width="320" youtube-src-id="9vST6hVRj2A"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here we are, 46 years later, and I'm running an afterschool group, one appropriately named "Monsters, Mysteries, and Myths." Our meetings lands on November 10th, and so my students MUST learn about the Big Fitz. I found a recipe for cookies that former cook on the Fitzgerald shared and brought in a guest speaker, <a href="https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/about/pers/cv/schwab/schwabcv.html">Dr. David Schwab</a>. He is an oceanographer and mathematician who studied the sinking, as well as developed a computer system to help predict waves on the Great Lakes. My kids were just so enveloped in the whole thing, and I learned a bit about how it all came together. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=david+schwab+oceanographer&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS969US969&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgwJOG25r0AhUQHc0KHX2aDFIQ_AUoAHoECAEQCQ&biw=1920&bih=969&dpr=1">Click here if you want to see some videos he's been in about oceanography</a>. I'm grateful that he took time to speak to us, even though he's retired!</div><br /><div>In the end, there's a certain about of solemnity surrounding any lost ship in the lakes. They say that Lake Superior doesn't give up her dead, and even today none have come to the surface. It's odd to think that the beautiful waves I observe safely from the shore are just above the surface of a mass grave. Over 33,000 people were lost in the Great Lakes, and unfortunately that number will grow as long as there are people and boats, storms and large waves. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEG95eL0R0BTj6T3aRX17fL1z6G9twHP9j-uVWFgu1_SFrJOGPoUimQ9arCGJzXRu04PShT-2eeGnSGU0_Mggfbozpxl9J72ap1x1KaFI82PueKqY45DnzpHo7liqNYF08dbR-bvOG9U/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1054" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEG95eL0R0BTj6T3aRX17fL1z6G9twHP9j-uVWFgu1_SFrJOGPoUimQ9arCGJzXRu04PShT-2eeGnSGU0_Mggfbozpxl9J72ap1x1KaFI82PueKqY45DnzpHo7liqNYF08dbR-bvOG9U/" width="292" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The lakes are a beautiful sort of dangerous, like all great and terrible things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><u>~Kristen</u></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Sources:</div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald">Wiki Article</a></div><div><a href="https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/edmund-fitzgerald/the-fateful-journey/">The Shipwreck Museum</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-86444046471528581272021-11-09T15:30:00.001-05:002021-11-09T15:30:00.178-05:00A (Bloody) Halloween<p>I remember Halloween as a kid; I always wanted to be a zombie bride or monster princess or something like that. I wanted to wear a dress AND terrorize the earth with a terrible curse. Is that too much for a girl to ask? As I've gotten older, my tastes have evolved, but only a little.</p><p>This year I settled on "Ancient Goddess Who Has Received Sacrifice." <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P8RKN5J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">I bought a pretty crème-colored dress on Amazon that is adorned with stars and moons</a>. I could have used another outfit in my wardrobe, but I REALLY like how it turned out. I needed something magical, and at the very least I can use it again for other costumes.</p><p>Next was my tiara. I needed something spikey and regal, so I headed to Michael's and picked up these crystal beads. The wire wrapping technique wasn't too difficult, though I definitely need more practice if I want to do it again. I attached the stones to a think piece of gold wire, then attached that to a thick black headband. The end result blended in well with my hair and glinted different colors in the light.</p><p>Finally, I had to decorate my (willing) victim. I bought a plain white shirt and used different types and colors of paint along the front to simulate the blood. In my CSI fervor I also did tried interesting forms of spatter; large drops, sprays, and even a few pools. As an added bonus I put my left handprint on the side, as if I'd reached into his chest to claim my prize. It was a very Indiana Jones scene, at least how I imagined it in my head. </p><p>With the appropriate touches of blood on our faces, the costumes were complete! Considering the fact that I've already "captured" his heart already, is it too much of a stretch for me to consume it? (Ha ha!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRzyYTMt2O2e3XEj8gZtgHrweoCKABVcd3adV6o6wpl8x8NYuzkr5JdwbedOy0-_8axr7-U3LA0uv7j55uyNDQtzppAZ6EMa48J8ogHCdNzMZYP05sh-LEX9RpTlr_C4F8-W5FpprDrY/s2048/20211106_223640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRzyYTMt2O2e3XEj8gZtgHrweoCKABVcd3adV6o6wpl8x8NYuzkr5JdwbedOy0-_8axr7-U3LA0uv7j55uyNDQtzppAZ6EMa48J8ogHCdNzMZYP05sh-LEX9RpTlr_C4F8-W5FpprDrY/s320/20211106_223640.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>While the whole thing was a very quick endeavor, with only a few hours of prep for the completed work, it reminded me of my many transferable skills. I've worked with wire wrapping beads, face painting, and even have experience from teaching forensics blood spray. I'm impressed with the final product!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Who knows what I can make next with that set of skills? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><u><i>~Kristen</i></u></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-15858691770814167812021-11-07T11:41:00.003-05:002021-11-07T11:41:45.515-05:00Youmacon 2021<p> It wasn't until relatively recently that we started watching anime in our household. Growing up I absolutely loved Sailor Moon and Pokemon, but really didn't make the connection to the anime community as a whole. With the pandemic and my lengthy recovery, we watched new things. Anime has slowly become my favorite genre of art!</p><p>Youmacon is a yearly anime conference in Detroit. It was virtual last year, so this year was the first back in-person. There were a million costumes, some I even recognized. I went with a cottagecore vibe to my outfit, though I was lazy about it because I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTRcXeLyxb8xVKtLWkaklu-cH6CnDYa_j_L9HBsfN7QFuJzQ8TzTGHUmHqO3DPFTj-6uM3T1dgeBq4H-CSfYyfFZPfJEWVHu4Ie099wmXiE3UGoTPkCHmSruzdf54NjhErWV9Sp6VruY/s2048/20211030_125335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTRcXeLyxb8xVKtLWkaklu-cH6CnDYa_j_L9HBsfN7QFuJzQ8TzTGHUmHqO3DPFTj-6uM3T1dgeBq4H-CSfYyfFZPfJEWVHu4Ie099wmXiE3UGoTPkCHmSruzdf54NjhErWV9Sp6VruY/s320/20211030_125335.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I took a class on furoshiki, which is the Japanese tradition of wrapping gifts and items with cloth. I didn't realize that I'd kept a Burnley and Trowbridge cloth in my bag until I realized that I needed it. It was an hour well-spent, and now I'm definitely considering using this technique for my presents this year. Perhaps even stamping fabric with paint? We'll see what I have time for...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAaH6SiwNPiCjHiJj34ERXKJYt32voclneSgYQfmFXwIjanELMRdBPn_m0MAmuP4UyJmN2ZsmUNy5O9pSoPRUstpmb0Dzo61iZaynqkUC_rLu8kpTFUekIzdIn8-Ursv0p9V-vDUaq0/s2048/20211030_130119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAaH6SiwNPiCjHiJj34ERXKJYt32voclneSgYQfmFXwIjanELMRdBPn_m0MAmuP4UyJmN2ZsmUNy5O9pSoPRUstpmb0Dzo61iZaynqkUC_rLu8kpTFUekIzdIn8-Ursv0p9V-vDUaq0/s320/20211030_130119.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisARk14FikyTIDY_woORf_9Zg3v2TqDQFeeIw0gcmxhMqt7oZhTidPaDd_QplAoenmXxq8f22kQcZ1BHpyAo1qnDf0RfKeaTmWWsvujmnG7dCuB7a1UfFIIr7YlEq3xSomp-pIlMW2HHI/s2048/20211030_131158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisARk14FikyTIDY_woORf_9Zg3v2TqDQFeeIw0gcmxhMqt7oZhTidPaDd_QplAoenmXxq8f22kQcZ1BHpyAo1qnDf0RfKeaTmWWsvujmnG7dCuB7a1UfFIIr7YlEq3xSomp-pIlMW2HHI/s320/20211030_131158.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBGPsTjBkj69WNzosvvC2zcS2YCE8xmbmP_05eS8Q584CdMknXiHzRVrEmFiove7WyjqiYflB1vOUFQR9y6eLz9dBYMR2-BRvqVFa_hVgUcnYeqjECLjWh84F8DieXzrtfNFEXrNdeU/s2048/20211030_132501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBGPsTjBkj69WNzosvvC2zcS2YCE8xmbmP_05eS8Q584CdMknXiHzRVrEmFiove7WyjqiYflB1vOUFQR9y6eLz9dBYMR2-BRvqVFa_hVgUcnYeqjECLjWh84F8DieXzrtfNFEXrNdeU/s320/20211030_132501.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrZxgXlS9KvmFNmZht8y-vjzbDOFIlKIdRakm-d1tRtePlMkt1nU11bKvPTXlevMV65ovlqb2fGXI6T-DyY9IF1qVkx5UiImUDTfhywIugbI66bULnzQaTXDr8THJ2nEX6wbes_Zdow/s2048/20211030_134507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrZxgXlS9KvmFNmZht8y-vjzbDOFIlKIdRakm-d1tRtePlMkt1nU11bKvPTXlevMV65ovlqb2fGXI6T-DyY9IF1qVkx5UiImUDTfhywIugbI66bULnzQaTXDr8THJ2nEX6wbes_Zdow/s320/20211030_134507.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was so much to do/see/buy, that seven hours later we were still wandering around. I think next year we'll attend later in the day, after at least a few cups of coffee! Of course, I had to buy a few things too, and I'm finding more and more that I like the Kawaii style. Books are always necessary, no matter how many already line/overflow our shelves at home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkwVpRrE-YoMUBBSLZj816tMuLd2fsolMbbH2dYwNtnVQ2NsYauXuqpe4ktKE69s27zyE3y3glKm7LjNFH1s3OdQLkGmZ3u0oByWCdthiPOwnKzoWSnBq0Z6LZCNgCOgB_aIjz5XF6qc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkwVpRrE-YoMUBBSLZj816tMuLd2fsolMbbH2dYwNtnVQ2NsYauXuqpe4ktKE69s27zyE3y3glKm7LjNFH1s3OdQLkGmZ3u0oByWCdthiPOwnKzoWSnBq0Z6LZCNgCOgB_aIjz5XF6qc/" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ_Lj2zJ7APOX0Oo2NikOmEu51YqrB48dfFV-CePHQIINGt7QqctTZYMDHb1Pg2tQCvsMTweexAw1ZPSpY3FGDHK66RYCHPMP5kMaR10ahInyOlB9Kg_PlCPfevrbCNZ5XJMSxmehmwU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ_Lj2zJ7APOX0Oo2NikOmEu51YqrB48dfFV-CePHQIINGt7QqctTZYMDHb1Pg2tQCvsMTweexAw1ZPSpY3FGDHK66RYCHPMP5kMaR10ahInyOlB9Kg_PlCPfevrbCNZ5XJMSxmehmwU/" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs1_AW_0sNAcU4ZjUzYtQeWhIoINGYznhekqY1IDjLdVMOV2PpgObUEzorXisMjCil-qGDko646YAl-nfY1CQwkyDKGrn0YFuX-XpHBd_KU3DfDdj70bkJ_GPdrwJuOkd07UhP0OlEwc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs1_AW_0sNAcU4ZjUzYtQeWhIoINGYznhekqY1IDjLdVMOV2PpgObUEzorXisMjCil-qGDko646YAl-nfY1CQwkyDKGrn0YFuX-XpHBd_KU3DfDdj70bkJ_GPdrwJuOkd07UhP0OlEwc/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdmVPeyJWfjQiVXXPePiRpJq3DvxRCdYF1j0pF9TJBUR00b8liTMQqEpd1eCQO7_WPjdTfm7pLav657Hlh2SW1cMRVTZePMCmT6kDJtL-rix1GvgWrKo8biPFApZw18Nw5EBXHsDDZjA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdmVPeyJWfjQiVXXPePiRpJq3DvxRCdYF1j0pF9TJBUR00b8liTMQqEpd1eCQO7_WPjdTfm7pLav657Hlh2SW1cMRVTZePMCmT6kDJtL-rix1GvgWrKo8biPFApZw18Nw5EBXHsDDZjA/" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAU2lOXtuB303KJf1117Q2pdaf2o2TtfGb1BpQHihtiRxpy9pbtC5V3V088ZyvgwL1oCYHW0uqD28bw8XyX20cJJ4EicF_GAqsXh0Rg9pjmy1CKzrOytOIzooju7MTtw_VJ5ymbXz5y4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAU2lOXtuB303KJf1117Q2pdaf2o2TtfGb1BpQHihtiRxpy9pbtC5V3V088ZyvgwL1oCYHW0uqD28bw8XyX20cJJ4EicF_GAqsXh0Rg9pjmy1CKzrOytOIzooju7MTtw_VJ5ymbXz5y4/" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxyAl5NV6HmjCXKwCcDr0r18TqKmKIZ6fRM5IaCamnjUwtEoaPog03jhKb42q4ZvbXNgASIsPXgXnYeEMYLZut-lMBeIucMIfxKSlKJ-vOwoqNMyYCwpo1-YPaITWh_J8tFeOKsO_vFA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1360" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxyAl5NV6HmjCXKwCcDr0r18TqKmKIZ6fRM5IaCamnjUwtEoaPog03jhKb42q4ZvbXNgASIsPXgXnYeEMYLZut-lMBeIucMIfxKSlKJ-vOwoqNMyYCwpo1-YPaITWh_J8tFeOKsO_vFA/" width="179" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It took a whole day of lounging around the house to recover from all of the walking! I'm glad to see events like these make a comeback after the past year we've had. Maybe I'll convince Dom to take me to a conference out of state sometime?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-89470817242950130552021-10-25T15:00:00.001-04:002021-10-25T15:00:00.192-04:00A One Year Anniversary<p>Today, October 25th, marks the one year anniversary of my COVID case. My symptoms had started early, by at least 4 days, but I had the sense not to show up when I started showing a possible case. There were teachers in that district, the one where I previously worked, that showed up sick. There was no way I could do that to people I cared about. I didn't honestly think I had the virus.</p><p>But on that day I received a call from the health department, and I remember I was walking around the house. I wasn't quite exhausted yet; tired, headache, sore throat, stomachache, and other symptoms, but not the knockout tired that I experienced for months afterwards. Just as soon as the woman told me I sat down on the bed and breathed. </p><p>I was sick, and I didn't know what would happen.</p><p>There's a part of me that wishes I could go back to that person and tell her to take the time she needs. I wish I hadn't returned to work when I was still so sick, wish I hadn't let that school district push me so hard. I wish I'd gone to the doctor a little sooner, though we were in the middle of a spike, and they were quite full. So many wishes.</p><p>Here I am a full year later. I still can't taste or smell the same; it feels like I'm eating food and someone is describing to me. I forget things sometimes. I can't balance well, even after months of working out and training with that. My doctor checked my lungs last month and noted a diminished lung capacity. She was concerned, but gave me good recommendations.</p><p>Luckily, my entire family is vaccinated, and we're safe. We did not suffer the loss of close family, and for that I'm grateful. I could have been so much worse too, and I'm glad I wasn't hospitalized. </p><p>But still. </p><p>I hope sacrificing my health was worth it. I don't think it was.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-25238325374199506542021-10-21T15:30:00.001-04:002021-10-21T15:30:00.197-04:00On My Bookshelf: October <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">With school finally swinging into motion, I’ve found myself really, really tired. Not weary, not burnt out. Tired, as if I’m doing a lot of things in one day. I am doing a lot of stuff; between the new job, working out, and advocacy work, I keep myself going all the time. On the rare occasion when I’m not cleaning or walking the pup, I find time to read.</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-de14c51c-7fff-e81a-3385-d3e4ca579e7f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One thing I’m really grateful for is that my new school really supports independent reading. It is discussed, brought up as a part of every English class. I make time every week so students can read what they’d like, and it is totally awesome. There’s a lot of research that shows kids who like to read become better readers. I think back to myself as a youngster, and it’s totally true.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre;"> 1. </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Perfect-Mexican-Daughter/dp/1524700487" style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter</span></span></a></p></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Erika-L-S%C3%A1nchez/e/B0733HM6RP/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Erika L. Sánchez</span></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="293" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IV0Ew0Yk_5nzjz0VxBvFu20vMYBxO6b1jySklugTcd9bWONx1oTtRRfL7KxPRTSmFWgWYfWQcGZeB2gJu2ZLOnfo2_gPL52Sjrlq9B5m7XeGlTJauePGA2UjN0E_TWT2uK1UK-pk=s1600" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="195" /></div><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I focused a lot of my reading this month around Hispanic Heritage Month. You’ll notice a lot more YA novels in my reading; they come recommended for my students. I’m enjoying reading now compared to this past summer, possibly because I know students will enjoy reading them soon. Also, bonus for me supporting Latinx authors wherever I can.<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This one hit close to home in so many different ways. The author loses her sister in an accident, and is forced to face a new reality where the “favorite” child is now dead. Julia grapples with her own grief while dealing with her parents’ traditional Mexican views. I can practically taste the tears.</span></span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While my life doesn’t completely parallel that of the main character, I found similarities. I know what it’s like to break tradition, to not live up to certain expectations. And of course I have a long brown braid right now! I think this is a great coming-of-age story, and I think it will connect with some of my students very well. </span></span></p></span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">2. </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Boys-Aiden-Thomas/dp/1250250463" style="font-size: 11pt; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cemetery Boys</span></span></a></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By Aiden Thomas</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 305px; overflow: hidden; width: 197px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img height="305" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bh1AbP9HxdnLz4HXiTd-iQEiiA8fxJ_w9ILBT9qCJniNz7_t0aAi3RASZM5jrvN12AawIhFy-xUTv87BKTZ81xVuGrJCVqZs-RLhYumxfTnlSnjDe7bfn0QPR3QXsb4pnJ0Vw1g=s1600" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="197" /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, this book was an easy selection. First, I’ll buy anything that connects to </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Día</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> de los Muertos, and this book is clearly doing that. The cemetery, candles, and flower petals on the cover are clues as to the themes in this book. If you were guessing a bit of magic, of brujeria, then you guessed correctly!</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The book follows Yadriel, a transgender teen in a family of brujos. He’s struggling to find acceptance from his community, and though he is able to prove his magic to himself, he still feels like he must do so with his family. Then he stumbles upon a great and terrifying secret, one that might tear his community apart. I liked this YA book for the characters, the setting, and most of all the lesson; we are who we are, we are enough.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">3. </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lowriders-Space-Cathy-Camper/dp/1452128693" style="font-size: 11pt; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lowriders in Space</span></span></a></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By Cathy Camper and Raul the Third</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR_tWLqhZFOdla5vOKX0LAytjNMujOtQ4yx8kKHt0B6bUFrF50Z3tez3camAGuSSPUItqCqrJ1RWEknbqDzaP7tNstU9zC7qG85Qw_I5iswYujq1z_rSW8anvyZXZ3SulUg8BHnzkksI/s329/Lowriders-in-Space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR_tWLqhZFOdla5vOKX0LAytjNMujOtQ4yx8kKHt0B6bUFrF50Z3tez3camAGuSSPUItqCqrJ1RWEknbqDzaP7tNstU9zC7qG85Qw_I5iswYujq1z_rSW8anvyZXZ3SulUg8BHnzkksI/s320/Lowriders-in-Space.jpg" width="253" /></a></div></div></div><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is absolutely necessary that I read at least one graphic novel a month. While this book is more aimed for younger readers (even younger than high school), I still enjoyed the artwork immensely. I talked to my students about this one, and I said; “Sometimes you just need to look at some good art, something nice. We don’t always have opportunities to do that in this world.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The message is straightforward; we all have talents, and are capable of following our dreams. The main characters enter a contest where each has to utilize their particular talents for them to win. It’s certainly fantastical, with elements of space and human-like creatures. But it’s an easy read and I love to support Mexican creators!</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-9837529417889476502021-10-18T03:30:00.001-04:002021-10-18T13:22:14.157-04:00The Van Gogh Experience<p>SPOILER ALERT: If you are thinking about <a href=" https://vangoghexpo.com/">doing this exhibit</a> and do not want to see any pictures in advance. To be honest I've seen previews already, but nothing quite compares to the actual experience. Dom and I went on a Sunday night, and it was the perfect mix of calm and awe before a busy week.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzPwvKEaKwRL6elouFMupA9XZJvIOhOs5IGVsO8qDtiG8gbDgBr1buoKaumIPKps0oiJ-Hs9SYAEPC4DrvSphwaQdCo-DyDAGAP8lnTjfhkqdKa1NdaQ5RbTPzTCeH_Kx_2aqE4ISwz4/s2048/20211017_190607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzPwvKEaKwRL6elouFMupA9XZJvIOhOs5IGVsO8qDtiG8gbDgBr1buoKaumIPKps0oiJ-Hs9SYAEPC4DrvSphwaQdCo-DyDAGAP8lnTjfhkqdKa1NdaQ5RbTPzTCeH_Kx_2aqE4ISwz4/s320/20211017_190607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The first part included close-ups of different paintings with Van Gogh life facts and quotes. I REALLY liked his quotes. There's something absolutely fantastic about seeing and hearing someone through the written word. It's like reading a love note when you see a signature. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy9_znLOM3hWX_6J4ibKYmy0-_nXAIvdC6tyY2BywwkVOjd1fzi0KeTC-_nOwoq3iS0QgdIrjTqZKv37HW0wKZGaunYhv0DX6Htsc_oA2_eD6AEdZ5wzuLHrxQ86uccvjtsw0_0izkoM/s2048/20211017_185753+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy9_znLOM3hWX_6J4ibKYmy0-_nXAIvdC6tyY2BywwkVOjd1fzi0KeTC-_nOwoq3iS0QgdIrjTqZKv37HW0wKZGaunYhv0DX6Htsc_oA2_eD6AEdZ5wzuLHrxQ86uccvjtsw0_0izkoM/s320/20211017_185753+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkci-R3141BHeykbfTKgvW5cR-KAHOy7Kb-14_sg_UQcxgfFuiOb2dO1td7muQ4lJplQrlfUTgLnVrBdKVTd7LwLTqVwtXYjd04klEM8VWwaFBzkfr4xhmNl8Y_xb5-QNxRy6GAiQths/s2048/20211017_192120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkci-R3141BHeykbfTKgvW5cR-KAHOy7Kb-14_sg_UQcxgfFuiOb2dO1td7muQ4lJplQrlfUTgLnVrBdKVTd7LwLTqVwtXYjd04klEM8VWwaFBzkfr4xhmNl8Y_xb5-QNxRy6GAiQths/s320/20211017_192120.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X7SleN5KuED0CZuxKg0a8K2Tg6MM6Nb4IBuFWfPZ2t9ArAo6xFB6qBL3ise-XxKwmM64m2ZOyTZAmA3qLEZAQG30EIH16XZudQyC-s6eXjAtHNF1DZq4CY3FTLX4niYGvF17u7FV2TM/s2048/20211017_192127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X7SleN5KuED0CZuxKg0a8K2Tg6MM6Nb4IBuFWfPZ2t9ArAo6xFB6qBL3ise-XxKwmM64m2ZOyTZAmA3qLEZAQG30EIH16XZudQyC-s6eXjAtHNF1DZq4CY3FTLX4niYGvF17u7FV2TM/s320/20211017_192127.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We sat in the same room for an hour, watching the paintings come to life and move of their own accord. It was magical when the flower petals flurried around us; the sea shifted with the wind on the huge walls. The view was also different depending on where you sat; we constantly moved to experience the paintings from various vantage points. People wandered in and out, but it wasn't intrusive. The music matched the notes of color and brushstrokes. It was nothing short of amazing.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXGCSX0kvZHT3xfiWLNV8wD2PlK9sNxnp0Cctvb9czBbygTe2BkgYu55tV_sUb_B1CQ_u3uGCoQ26jDx5s6H0SXqtJ6mMshnomvA2aSfAKt_nZiJv8EKYk83oRB9RBkvpj542c7JJauI/s2048/20211017_192307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXGCSX0kvZHT3xfiWLNV8wD2PlK9sNxnp0Cctvb9czBbygTe2BkgYu55tV_sUb_B1CQ_u3uGCoQ26jDx5s6H0SXqtJ6mMshnomvA2aSfAKt_nZiJv8EKYk83oRB9RBkvpj542c7JJauI/s320/20211017_192307.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2luVmYghIyQMn8VyrZ_Vr2hrvy8d19BzS02plWhElUCDYjbheh5V61GN74g9UNszqKne9H5oV25vq0tgpu1r5QEk8NNLDCmCl6XUBy9bkECPIZChFnirhBHr4ynSQK4LzP1ZariytvY/s2048/20211017_194150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2luVmYghIyQMn8VyrZ_Vr2hrvy8d19BzS02plWhElUCDYjbheh5V61GN74g9UNszqKne9H5oV25vq0tgpu1r5QEk8NNLDCmCl6XUBy9bkECPIZChFnirhBHr4ynSQK4LzP1ZariytvY/s320/20211017_194150.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdWslQ7L1BccF4i6y_zNe-2bqiEWTA205m98PJ2xAg4esjWF9kTEMczaCKMLKgperY75-OYQhcp0OP9ihUSw4UaSK1Fo3ijbEAIkyqxOwzm1Kr6-EGm1A37B-LVpsTH-o-c1UwktCb6M/s2048/20211017_194409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdWslQ7L1BccF4i6y_zNe-2bqiEWTA205m98PJ2xAg4esjWF9kTEMczaCKMLKgperY75-OYQhcp0OP9ihUSw4UaSK1Fo3ijbEAIkyqxOwzm1Kr6-EGm1A37B-LVpsTH-o-c1UwktCb6M/s320/20211017_194409.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUF4yWVk4hWdwxmmxiZsyOhcp8oyZYwyOe_pHJgwZocKcVSJTz3nrBVsC7U2L2WlRPgDPVT9RNae-QtIG536u7VMMhQJ53n-62lN05zbX3f-MqKl0iIOzzbeulSJnEtn1rkV5TVttYc8/s2048/20211017_194918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUF4yWVk4hWdwxmmxiZsyOhcp8oyZYwyOe_pHJgwZocKcVSJTz3nrBVsC7U2L2WlRPgDPVT9RNae-QtIG536u7VMMhQJ53n-62lN05zbX3f-MqKl0iIOzzbeulSJnEtn1rkV5TVttYc8/s320/20211017_194918.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPAAMnweUsgBkMfnfg8jENopkG_Cx8TrBlc1ED0kDmCukMhyphenhyphen1nGsgswoExfhIoQWZqink1_fSjStCGRZAsvCWFQfoOLi17cJJeQMPRbtd43eC6fPtD2pn-tdh8WiXafM6L2JnP9aL-Yw/s2048/20211017_195152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPAAMnweUsgBkMfnfg8jENopkG_Cx8TrBlc1ED0kDmCukMhyphenhyphen1nGsgswoExfhIoQWZqink1_fSjStCGRZAsvCWFQfoOLi17cJJeQMPRbtd43eC6fPtD2pn-tdh8WiXafM6L2JnP9aL-Yw/s320/20211017_195152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The whole experience was romantic in a sad sort of way. I've never been so close to Van Gogh's work, and it felt like we became friends. It's one thing to see a painting; it's completely different to be wholly engulfed, immersed by color and light. I would definitely go back to see this one, and I'd love to see it from different painters too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With winter slowly looming in the distance, I'm starting to plan blog posts. There are a few projects on my desk right now. Hopefully as the rush of a new job starts to slow, I'll feel more like my creative self once again. In the meantime, stay safe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-7314824672919507172021-10-16T21:37:00.000-04:002021-10-16T21:37:02.606-04:00Power of the Press Fest 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's always something interesting going on in the Detroit area, especially if you're crafty like me! I'm constantly looking for an event to check out for a few hours. It's like I'm making up for over a year of no events...luckily there's no shortage of things to do now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend I went with my friend Rickie to <a href="http://www.powerofthepressfest.org/">Power of the Press Fest</a> at Eastern Market. It was fun hanging out around artists, specifically those that work with paper as a medium. There were so many examples of print art, and a ton of techniques and supplies used. We saw a few demonstrations, including paper marbling and bookbinding. Rickie was really awesome and discussed the different things she recognized; since she is an art teacher, she has way more experience with this stuff than I do.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR9tx419fW1SW_Iw3dRz3CgRqsxI-kbhn9I0goSLfcCVSWzcKbrSZ8HV_27hJFdxqPDBNQFC6ISWtaLCMqzr5_N147uRDlRxuOq2_xiuxYzS8y8xd0UT2Kp13WiK7yENI28JwujmH72w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR9tx419fW1SW_Iw3dRz3CgRqsxI-kbhn9I0goSLfcCVSWzcKbrSZ8HV_27hJFdxqPDBNQFC6ISWtaLCMqzr5_N147uRDlRxuOq2_xiuxYzS8y8xd0UT2Kp13WiK7yENI28JwujmH72w/" width="160" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We were there a LOT longer than we originally planned! After all of that hard work buying art and talking about art, we enjoyed some artistic ice cream. Definitely a really sweet ending to an inspiring visit to Eastern Market. I will be going back next year for sure!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fW2RpbF0DuC3ftbMoCR5rlcmbUKsiyBdIEVVN9yGHqbyrPDOXUFYvHA37P-azEV4LKce0UApmx1cnByqTJT_ImNrUou0rXGk7vHZuyyt1Nzv-SLsTZhPhOaVq8dmdYjfTka9CZN6hd8/s2016/245857953_619742462360566_2503548654019436162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fW2RpbF0DuC3ftbMoCR5rlcmbUKsiyBdIEVVN9yGHqbyrPDOXUFYvHA37P-azEV4LKce0UApmx1cnByqTJT_ImNrUou0rXGk7vHZuyyt1Nzv-SLsTZhPhOaVq8dmdYjfTka9CZN6hd8/s320/245857953_619742462360566_2503548654019436162_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC3X8BzV54SnjXlCrOtEzs2jNwfSx1mevtk81d-4ivYj9gPMece2pJrW2rjOsVCmHZMfGtJUubVkN3HkKuoQ8utfx4iDmPGLzH_SO5OKCsXIYIfZ1YISB_PIlJxGf15hQWLG9U662zSw/s2016/245408205_1924901647690740_9025685685878415014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC3X8BzV54SnjXlCrOtEzs2jNwfSx1mevtk81d-4ivYj9gPMece2pJrW2rjOsVCmHZMfGtJUubVkN3HkKuoQ8utfx4iDmPGLzH_SO5OKCsXIYIfZ1YISB_PIlJxGf15hQWLG9U662zSw/s320/245408205_1924901647690740_9025685685878415014_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeYxIXy8QmJiUi0Yk2Pb_f77F_apB-cGAz-LxzdwSYEK5LPWlleqY_-jWpCaS4CmzAuerewcijBLsGDJNOihvWigHJ8SBv4zlnLzaZRJbXPCklkMJwQpSB8T-yscz6v7U7mJPmmEK3UI/s2016/245489541_3314952355398590_5551594579545614222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeYxIXy8QmJiUi0Yk2Pb_f77F_apB-cGAz-LxzdwSYEK5LPWlleqY_-jWpCaS4CmzAuerewcijBLsGDJNOihvWigHJ8SBv4zlnLzaZRJbXPCklkMJwQpSB8T-yscz6v7U7mJPmmEK3UI/s320/245489541_3314952355398590_5551594579545614222_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXs6oX7qqB_VWvd4AyyEuf5H5ut1pFkrKPfI_OJ2PtQ1maT8dHw12ouWrU71mJfzIMh2exKpNIAUqUgci8sxXYcKW1W4LUcUGj5SHlJ1GKwLfU4P_mLst7G59IwVBzC2zwJLISlvhhoQ/s2016/245539081_144776271143674_7248845942520778618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXs6oX7qqB_VWvd4AyyEuf5H5ut1pFkrKPfI_OJ2PtQ1maT8dHw12ouWrU71mJfzIMh2exKpNIAUqUgci8sxXYcKW1W4LUcUGj5SHlJ1GKwLfU4P_mLst7G59IwVBzC2zwJLISlvhhoQ/s320/245539081_144776271143674_7248845942520778618_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDLKtj4EBfIHlE2CE-j0oKtg3y8fcQL7gaZA9mD81D91i8joWeh1STFa5DPFPWr-X_Jr0hMyWJqJMoe1DyYipkK7pC5txSrWhCXvB599AtjVmBpq2YKcs7UgSnwROAAdgalHUaXmg4_4/s2016/245701319_561670778248369_1680316244626091562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDLKtj4EBfIHlE2CE-j0oKtg3y8fcQL7gaZA9mD81D91i8joWeh1STFa5DPFPWr-X_Jr0hMyWJqJMoe1DyYipkK7pC5txSrWhCXvB599AtjVmBpq2YKcs7UgSnwROAAdgalHUaXmg4_4/s320/245701319_561670778248369_1680316244626091562_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwPWQQiBnQj_j7pze1-c1-9l9Hvp5C7wWMUSQpe8-BtSQm8r5e_Cldp4HdAeW946PK1aKmAvofd6lbTjJgJDDq410p4dU2VbIw0cGyoXKP8fFf1znbRZqGGlGAhRj50HBeFQ5_BWd52k/s2016/245967740_2997964593753626_5911669634833149180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwPWQQiBnQj_j7pze1-c1-9l9Hvp5C7wWMUSQpe8-BtSQm8r5e_Cldp4HdAeW946PK1aKmAvofd6lbTjJgJDDq410p4dU2VbIw0cGyoXKP8fFf1znbRZqGGlGAhRj50HBeFQ5_BWd52k/s320/245967740_2997964593753626_5911669634833149180_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfv1LmCpOpEkVy8QlCZmJ9qN_VtwoniX82NR6ze3_cIuMSoAKF4A9d7iHWxEhjkClpKZdDJrlCwSRzNSd71zOueMyeKzMLaZSPkLJvm2utEYOfWYuYiVf_-7iUCjV_ZBID8ISghj5fQ4/s2016/245994236_236753661822574_5154724260839934078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfv1LmCpOpEkVy8QlCZmJ9qN_VtwoniX82NR6ze3_cIuMSoAKF4A9d7iHWxEhjkClpKZdDJrlCwSRzNSd71zOueMyeKzMLaZSPkLJvm2utEYOfWYuYiVf_-7iUCjV_ZBID8ISghj5fQ4/s320/245994236_236753661822574_5154724260839934078_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6i1m0xsykLFBQPYNMCvyrnAu0kA9Z2o7ycutZ7Cos_9U_RfeJRxi27PWAgWctx_-5yhSpRjXXHXMrstt682LVA9J1gV0c0UvTTIXlXEjX78ug4KvPo7-O05e2iLJ36DqmL1fzHJvo88/s2016/246120653_1047099569198587_4355535204755840213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6i1m0xsykLFBQPYNMCvyrnAu0kA9Z2o7ycutZ7Cos_9U_RfeJRxi27PWAgWctx_-5yhSpRjXXHXMrstt682LVA9J1gV0c0UvTTIXlXEjX78ug4KvPo7-O05e2iLJ36DqmL1fzHJvo88/s320/246120653_1047099569198587_4355535204755840213_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWjVI4srn-112gopMNbfyu1r4dXwvaueLguHpgJ9nXKd_mJZ42sn2M830LEDqeBxhjwLEen45UFYg68dEkTpmKV2K5WuTyXjwDcFxITJHiv6EQcyoE4n6wjb1sK1B4-xE2FCckylt9rw/s2016/246259555_872147716781113_7725065109451695422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWjVI4srn-112gopMNbfyu1r4dXwvaueLguHpgJ9nXKd_mJZ42sn2M830LEDqeBxhjwLEen45UFYg68dEkTpmKV2K5WuTyXjwDcFxITJHiv6EQcyoE4n6wjb1sK1B4-xE2FCckylt9rw/s320/246259555_872147716781113_7725065109451695422_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWrHBHYxlJixF07LFN9_lEK8G1SsImr955UsjqibhsECOFVxeusD78sooAlEBG5tiejnmYfs_hvReFoOY38jOw1E53jaQFqbPQipuf4YKODZRjd3tT9rY0ZToQ9fjSKq0TllsCL2JbZU/s2016/246365258_1007481536764900_3924823178857030632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWrHBHYxlJixF07LFN9_lEK8G1SsImr955UsjqibhsECOFVxeusD78sooAlEBG5tiejnmYfs_hvReFoOY38jOw1E53jaQFqbPQipuf4YKODZRjd3tT9rY0ZToQ9fjSKq0TllsCL2JbZU/s320/246365258_1007481536764900_3924823178857030632_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4xhu9eNY1R-yzbDgcyl72bTzZfFgh1X8T08_voUDBTpTmtKQgPbKO2us_cJNb4L6fJXecSFKmIUj_YHaBIp7Yipl5pNilQgg-mD6LhzdoiplQHjA1LgNqKaHd7ExvzcNnQYP3C01sYg/s1824/245920509_973754743482715_2059890462718666516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4xhu9eNY1R-yzbDgcyl72bTzZfFgh1X8T08_voUDBTpTmtKQgPbKO2us_cJNb4L6fJXecSFKmIUj_YHaBIp7Yipl5pNilQgg-mD6LhzdoiplQHjA1LgNqKaHd7ExvzcNnQYP3C01sYg/s320/245920509_973754743482715_2059890462718666516_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><i>~Kristen</i></u></b><br /><p></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-66390072270659361012021-10-11T17:27:00.004-04:002021-10-11T17:27:58.692-04:00Glow in the Dark Putt Putt...A Most Modern Excursion<p>There are very few things on this earth that feel more modern than glow-in-the-dark putt golf. From the psychedelic colors to the crazy painting, it did NOT feel historic at all! Regardless, it was fun and I had to share the ridiculousness. By the way, I'm terrible at golf of any sort, and we're just lucky no one was hurt.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">*We are both fully vaccinated and wear masks. We just took a quick photo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgjxn48SrG8198-JY-nbQ3YAw9PZaHzIaaVuGjT1mP95GG86WxcTTt4huZtDMhItEMzmJ-1O71kyLaqOFg_BJ8OPlQTomomPqohwMagdIPaogPAkWEv_sgoa-aoMQL4vo0E_2y0BI2t0/s2048/20211009_202823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgjxn48SrG8198-JY-nbQ3YAw9PZaHzIaaVuGjT1mP95GG86WxcTTt4huZtDMhItEMzmJ-1O71kyLaqOFg_BJ8OPlQTomomPqohwMagdIPaogPAkWEv_sgoa-aoMQL4vo0E_2y0BI2t0/s320/20211009_202823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil58YrKfvPHxdS1kmRApQXx3kAnst6zGIcX-9XOOvhkhLP5WTiGJSAZlZW1NYlSoN583OhyLjXuY-zgIV1os1wl9Sq-qXoSNWueacClg92jxVMnHo0_kkprhP0GtofMieCS8iGDE0cfM0/s2048/20211009_210044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil58YrKfvPHxdS1kmRApQXx3kAnst6zGIcX-9XOOvhkhLP5WTiGJSAZlZW1NYlSoN583OhyLjXuY-zgIV1os1wl9Sq-qXoSNWueacClg92jxVMnHo0_kkprhP0GtofMieCS8iGDE0cfM0/s320/20211009_210044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTDOHvEIN7KjHGYXFUpQDLneT0BUTLgXd4aIB5ZdtKlz1MhYTBrrGKfvftrsZQrikpCiJnfzGAE3318GtA1vryfKbH0368hPE2H4F7_6Y8r-N_Mk7R_GjwIfcse7NYeoKTQ51u7eyp6Q/s2048/20211009_205713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTDOHvEIN7KjHGYXFUpQDLneT0BUTLgXd4aIB5ZdtKlz1MhYTBrrGKfvftrsZQrikpCiJnfzGAE3318GtA1vryfKbH0368hPE2H4F7_6Y8r-N_Mk7R_GjwIfcse7NYeoKTQ51u7eyp6Q/s320/20211009_205713.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM43iErrO1pquREP_tm5zllW6Pzv4S8gY8I3JpC162RqH1LndCK1csc5jbY_ofHqihfCaQJ4lYTcNEbl5klpGJ0KQt_RKFL_ezfiYCQBMCsAhiM3x8vDCQ5Fb1isJ7Ug7IA8sT7T0_Wo/s2048/20211009_205432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM43iErrO1pquREP_tm5zllW6Pzv4S8gY8I3JpC162RqH1LndCK1csc5jbY_ofHqihfCaQJ4lYTcNEbl5klpGJ0KQt_RKFL_ezfiYCQBMCsAhiM3x8vDCQ5Fb1isJ7Ug7IA8sT7T0_Wo/s320/20211009_205432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap-4N-rcCTNDJbhZv72fruwrc2B8bST41rpmpELqsDg5XC1kYMbocuDlO6WV01KQZfj9txIuJb65vVgTKHDLK2cKMxE1bYfZtZov_DT1JsAuqkybpMp3Je4SofEX4_4sKStrwFW7BjaA/s2048/20211009_204949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap-4N-rcCTNDJbhZv72fruwrc2B8bST41rpmpELqsDg5XC1kYMbocuDlO6WV01KQZfj9txIuJb65vVgTKHDLK2cKMxE1bYfZtZov_DT1JsAuqkybpMp3Je4SofEX4_4sKStrwFW7BjaA/s320/20211009_204949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF6DSdh2gV39n_hpgXwFK__QbRwFgYWkFOJPAadDJ00BEze1nrr2ukCtQL3pKAyzdE5qXEw8EBSSxft8XiLOjI371-x2JUGwRRmESbLMiKR4lQ0Tv_RFhgO9Br2bUy3AdHpoZjWJln70/s2048/20211009_203434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF6DSdh2gV39n_hpgXwFK__QbRwFgYWkFOJPAadDJ00BEze1nrr2ukCtQL3pKAyzdE5qXEw8EBSSxft8XiLOjI371-x2JUGwRRmESbLMiKR4lQ0Tv_RFhgO9Br2bUy3AdHpoZjWJln70/s320/20211009_203434.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOLnq47k8KSoEuzJZA3NP7z10uWVYCbjFDaw0MLttuYTesbONN8cpw0O8eU7xAUJJUKzuscOBb94s2Pnrdqq0X7jSvfoLDykqZ3vYcrjQ8dTp0En4WR1qh8Or5dpfV4fO4K2C27w4CpU/s2048/20211009_202859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOLnq47k8KSoEuzJZA3NP7z10uWVYCbjFDaw0MLttuYTesbONN8cpw0O8eU7xAUJJUKzuscOBb94s2Pnrdqq0X7jSvfoLDykqZ3vYcrjQ8dTp0En4WR1qh8Or5dpfV4fO4K2C27w4CpU/s320/20211009_202859.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen </u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-89308536524916389822021-09-29T21:14:00.004-04:002021-09-29T21:14:33.572-04:00Governor Warner Mansion Cemetery Walk<p>With fall comes the inevitable but delightful cemetery walks. Having participated in a few over the years, I was excited when Governor Warner Mansion needed volunteers. There's something magical about spending hours at a grave and talking about dead people. At the very least, it's a nice way to observe the trees change colors.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnyhtoZWDrNfub2mJCzfUiPxB53aIAQOBGAP2IEKyBCjM_bDEYe0giX-71eUenlAANBRqY1LAQeMraw0V1H5TtxpCEWYb1KzvRMJWPANgEv2X-NlLT5HZICvrVW1gsPp_aVQEZcxXlaY/s1620/243162620_1861325137381675_7904435158352_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnyhtoZWDrNfub2mJCzfUiPxB53aIAQOBGAP2IEKyBCjM_bDEYe0giX-71eUenlAANBRqY1LAQeMraw0V1H5TtxpCEWYb1KzvRMJWPANgEv2X-NlLT5HZICvrVW1gsPp_aVQEZcxXlaY/s320/243162620_1861325137381675_7904435158352_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk2DhO4Sj7N_Qv3q5-maz9ORfX6y8bWYeBGnrQehv3tydlkv0ea_v5Mdlw8Urz64G_ICNdi3d4OXyy3BJyRL5fjNSDYtzqKa9NKJE-lDbik7K76a6Yx8GGt7nUf7qxoe-nQtJ_bory5M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1620" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk2DhO4Sj7N_Qv3q5-maz9ORfX6y8bWYeBGnrQehv3tydlkv0ea_v5Mdlw8Urz64G_ICNdi3d4OXyy3BJyRL5fjNSDYtzqKa9NKJE-lDbik7K76a6Yx8GGt7nUf7qxoe-nQtJ_bory5M/" width="320" /></a></div><br />I played the role of Patience Comstock Power, the daughter-in-law of the founder of Farmington. She and her husband were Quaker and worked tirelessly as abolitionists. They helped enslaved people escape to Canada through the underground railroad and eventually started a settlement there. I shared her story with curious visitors; we raised a good amount of money for the museum too! It's nice to have people learning more about their community history and getting involved. And of course, I get to wear one of my dresses. Noelle and Katherine were presenters as well, so we had a chance to catch up!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfDJ5StqhEtWag5-s3jzr4wmQ9HAEw2Jaq25qqFYR_SdQMQjDOE6YhJHiNq0P1UkjFuqyEYTAi3iN02JgGtDYBdH85eZgicnR7WLsR28QjYYFoIwf4BsgRv90ekDPq-Sl6V4nxXiB95A/s2048/20210926_163011+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfDJ5StqhEtWag5-s3jzr4wmQ9HAEw2Jaq25qqFYR_SdQMQjDOE6YhJHiNq0P1UkjFuqyEYTAi3iN02JgGtDYBdH85eZgicnR7WLsR28QjYYFoIwf4BsgRv90ekDPq-Sl6V4nxXiB95A/s320/20210926_163011+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZvAItiV1BpAmKVayXLk_wLM8gb99zGbU2XqWjtQwcGZIf6vSel7Hw3pjJ_mbiYSzbJ-VpDrH1m0_S_OLRpcuZo7Crm79bMH9ayKmbWRw3h70jdGZ62VCSSo-XicxBE9BVdw-ewNuWrw/s2048/20210926_165413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZvAItiV1BpAmKVayXLk_wLM8gb99zGbU2XqWjtQwcGZIf6vSel7Hw3pjJ_mbiYSzbJ-VpDrH1m0_S_OLRpcuZo7Crm79bMH9ayKmbWRw3h70jdGZ62VCSSo-XicxBE9BVdw-ewNuWrw/s320/20210926_165413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIGghFurq5iRx5kebAZJ__FHZaF-9yw_i4XD_ZvB9vChBMA6FshTRaSH9M5-PFXo7N5vwfOrXwyEyawCqxdL1rAUNMBQ8L1rRySxZwEAv9L8IoyXcabW33xflhgzWu2KzKCUtW1Ueyw0/s2048/20210926_175242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIGghFurq5iRx5kebAZJ__FHZaF-9yw_i4XD_ZvB9vChBMA6FshTRaSH9M5-PFXo7N5vwfOrXwyEyawCqxdL1rAUNMBQ8L1rRySxZwEAv9L8IoyXcabW33xflhgzWu2KzKCUtW1Ueyw0/s320/20210926_175242.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic11G-dsS8zdvemy4OUfhflkRcU9kDJyfeDll3vtMKCka2SLtUvCmPW-sB6s0PG_av4jqxk5ubaRJv1bA66DktxyMYLcyzGCl43xTI7Oi7sxo6vdBMEJ2kk0dOsRLLK940fafHqSal-68/s2048/20210926_175309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic11G-dsS8zdvemy4OUfhflkRcU9kDJyfeDll3vtMKCka2SLtUvCmPW-sB6s0PG_av4jqxk5ubaRJv1bA66DktxyMYLcyzGCl43xTI7Oi7sxo6vdBMEJ2kk0dOsRLLK940fafHqSal-68/s320/20210926_175309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDmJqwlQvcCIuqLn4EbddHIVp_Kfh20meTcXhT0IqiQk7LmXSqy1ZjgdzXmsOL9Lvf2jCSmwVXUY8Judq2wSlmDuu-UYqF95xxW2Plmnrr16D3u2ixmNUqLKyb6SxWEoSVldnDHd1OmY/s2048/20210926_181702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDmJqwlQvcCIuqLn4EbddHIVp_Kfh20meTcXhT0IqiQk7LmXSqy1ZjgdzXmsOL9Lvf2jCSmwVXUY8Judq2wSlmDuu-UYqF95xxW2Plmnrr16D3u2ixmNUqLKyb6SxWEoSVldnDHd1OmY/s320/20210926_181702.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to present to visitors. It was fun, though I pushed the limit of my lungs. I was very tired afterward and spent the next few days recovering. I don't know if I'll ever get tired of talking to people about history and dressing up while I do it. Hopefully, there are more chances for me to do this soon! Let's hope that COVID doesn't make 2022 difficult too...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-47161148766811555212021-09-27T20:24:00.006-04:002021-09-27T20:24:48.678-04:00Detroit DLECTRICITY<p>Living in Michigan during the autumn season is absolutely awesome. While the weather starts to turn chilly, we all show up for our fall events. This one, called <a href="https://dlectricity.com/">DLECTRICITY</a>, is still pretty new. It's sponsored by a few of the big organizations here, like DTE and the DIA. Basically, it's a big outdoor light show. Projectors light ups the sides of buildings, and some of them are even interactive! There were more than 30 art installations along a three-block radius near the Wayne State campus in Detroit.</p><p>We started with some delicious Nigerian food from their outdoor eating setup and then wandered around. I'm particularly fond of the flowers, as well as the stop-motion animation of the man. <a href="https://dlectricity.com/2021-exhibition/">Click here to see the artwork</a>. There was also an interesting presentation about what the area looked like in the early 20th century, complete with house lantern boxes. It was really neat to see the massive marble walls of the DIA lit up with art on the <i>outside </i>for a change! </p><p>I apologize if the pics aren't that great. Check out the website for better ones...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX24iIZSNVyMabf6ekoGzJ2xpyUI_vWq5LXOg3zh0O0AnuwPdjgatNBOmMqJL-sCJZBzcWK1tSDS9FD5yX_BfEG-ZNbtnjSNZBqb6Gx4Xd_YDzl2Ade_w6GU_VktkTw0bT2E_x1zkvRqQ/s2048/20210925_211906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX24iIZSNVyMabf6ekoGzJ2xpyUI_vWq5LXOg3zh0O0AnuwPdjgatNBOmMqJL-sCJZBzcWK1tSDS9FD5yX_BfEG-ZNbtnjSNZBqb6Gx4Xd_YDzl2Ade_w6GU_VktkTw0bT2E_x1zkvRqQ/s320/20210925_211906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjuEP0ecUtkHYVodaFzIJkErg-hk0UKStudQJRb-V9Aoo0hFJfch2ZMOZKqqpHFjlvATn-4fx1oUMXWDtkCIydMP7FaiumBaghIJ1FnQR-gH4_698675DVrXJIh0BFSJr47lv6cBWxTU/s2048/20210925_211620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUhyNlj7de1cN7B_Y6Xyp3VNRW9Hx7pyWi8T1XOC2iWt7_bmwbV52LpDliXvAK3Ud5sasDVU7XqmPjoq91E60JxmTltZcLLm0oHyZhf1KoXarjpeczuGiFCRqjx2LarWPioU1HCi751Q/s2048/20210925_203824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUhyNlj7de1cN7B_Y6Xyp3VNRW9Hx7pyWi8T1XOC2iWt7_bmwbV52LpDliXvAK3Ud5sasDVU7XqmPjoq91E60JxmTltZcLLm0oHyZhf1KoXarjpeczuGiFCRqjx2LarWPioU1HCi751Q/s320/20210925_203824.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_K-QUOCwhi_gJYcGMQ9urn0x4lnxpqaAcUi4twKS-UaGt5q_ZCsYHPtPq5NS-Q0Xj2gAfTEjDuuXFH6sfGX9Gg8sxKvKeEtr9YiditF6IoD6lJIP_Ro9uDZGoCoMbXXdn-UQeE8NFPw/s2048/20210925_203811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_K-QUOCwhi_gJYcGMQ9urn0x4lnxpqaAcUi4twKS-UaGt5q_ZCsYHPtPq5NS-Q0Xj2gAfTEjDuuXFH6sfGX9Gg8sxKvKeEtr9YiditF6IoD6lJIP_Ro9uDZGoCoMbXXdn-UQeE8NFPw/s320/20210925_203811.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7-ViyYvvPdreC-VMniFUbgtci3BXPdHyuuSvI8fkNOCOwtIhZQrvDjCGKeizwIYbRb-pYp00KdPUYcGVzWOOhTw9yYaXdQZ6ng-IDaCn8PsYNG8DoabLixSlLgW8kjAf60Gomkto8po/s2048/20210925_203150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7-ViyYvvPdreC-VMniFUbgtci3BXPdHyuuSvI8fkNOCOwtIhZQrvDjCGKeizwIYbRb-pYp00KdPUYcGVzWOOhTw9yYaXdQZ6ng-IDaCn8PsYNG8DoabLixSlLgW8kjAf60Gomkto8po/s320/20210925_203150.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were pretty tired after running around for hours. Hopefully, they keep this event going, as I'd like to go back again! In the meantime, I'm prepping for homecoming and slowly planning my homemade Christmas lists...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-75897103979820229502021-09-22T22:34:00.001-04:002021-09-22T22:34:37.730-04:00A Baby Shower, Historic House Style<p>Let me just start by saying no...I'm not pregnant! But my cousin Juliana is, and after missing her wedding because of COVID, I was really excited to say hi and celebrate with her and the family. Of course, it was a small gathering, masked, and required vaccination. That's a cool thing about my cousin-she believes in science!</p><p>I was even more thrilled to see she was holding her shower at a historic house in St. Claire Shores, Michigan. Ardmore Park Place is now operating as a tea house/gift shop, but it was built in the 1870s by a German farm family. Over the years it has operated as a roadhouse, blind pig, bordello, and then a furniture store. In 2012 the city declared the house an official historic building. <a href="https://www.ardmoreparkplace.com/">You can read here for more information from their website</a>.</p><p>Unfortunately, I did not get many pictures of the inside, as I was busy doing baby shower stuff (why yes I did win a baby shower BINGO...). It was a delightful little spot, and the staff was really sweet and accommodating. The whole thing was just so adorable, between the atmosphere and the food, I didn't know what to do with it all. There's something so comfortable about being in an old house, like a lived-in feeling that makes you feel at home.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfR_Q_mUy4jP4Osq0AuY12S53mjdKAwAwhUlrH997sPwuxaRiMo6JfVAikX_dqRvAASFNAtbCW1gyQLlmGmHNYh2vUGWd5er79N2aQj4sIgcwiUX-8NWxSTWI0z8SwXUtO4CHaAOv0K8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="596" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfR_Q_mUy4jP4Osq0AuY12S53mjdKAwAwhUlrH997sPwuxaRiMo6JfVAikX_dqRvAASFNAtbCW1gyQLlmGmHNYh2vUGWd5er79N2aQj4sIgcwiUX-8NWxSTWI0z8SwXUtO4CHaAOv0K8/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-g9Q-vxvpdBlxhcR0d8k_CTVO08wpTvcJ9qzI-93VPrb5ocNUfVdMFlPB_VtWilyb_5ylQZMESekYL8TIrWq3vaHc6ZOus5JPwQSAQBJxLHvh6mMaLVI6rux8slzaxxdt3C6gN0U8jQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="569" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-g9Q-vxvpdBlxhcR0d8k_CTVO08wpTvcJ9qzI-93VPrb5ocNUfVdMFlPB_VtWilyb_5ylQZMESekYL8TIrWq3vaHc6ZOus5JPwQSAQBJxLHvh6mMaLVI6rux8slzaxxdt3C6gN0U8jQ/" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw7_PR98ZcifQ0gSK0-H1XHy6rjqjBJ-RsqY3aJ70Dn7IzzQL3I5vGJ0CesWyGkbTLXu9vuP-Lf-1i4zvWWgkClgwTp6cfy7TAV-WMayCTEjTYlsvaeQiiJCMsOxR58OkYeStjaddWII/s2048/20210918_155933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw7_PR98ZcifQ0gSK0-H1XHy6rjqjBJ-RsqY3aJ70Dn7IzzQL3I5vGJ0CesWyGkbTLXu9vuP-Lf-1i4zvWWgkClgwTp6cfy7TAV-WMayCTEjTYlsvaeQiiJCMsOxR58OkYeStjaddWII/s320/20210918_155933.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_OWXnjKeoIeT0SGGd4redSqfxgIwHodKGHoPoc7c3k-q9j9i4kqNQmDzwBfBq9-4PO9-vhz7X2_5TEm4Ejn9V0jbYlDXP26mYb2_nBmljAIOreIVb6RTCFSwMk4C_OOq-WKfDZhxeh0/s2048/20210918_153739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_OWXnjKeoIeT0SGGd4redSqfxgIwHodKGHoPoc7c3k-q9j9i4kqNQmDzwBfBq9-4PO9-vhz7X2_5TEm4Ejn9V0jbYlDXP26mYb2_nBmljAIOreIVb6RTCFSwMk4C_OOq-WKfDZhxeh0/s320/20210918_153739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ-CVvs0EwUXh7zIh-s7sIPbM026-zw9YvqUS6A8nbSXXC7cZGgT74YwIJwLU9X1vRfYxN9Vih_dUfnb7IFYZYSH1XYdx0OhpIBJ2k2if8AZ0Lske_lrTK1G_BONGtCNMzsIKWMk5R8k/s2048/20210918_152539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ-CVvs0EwUXh7zIh-s7sIPbM026-zw9YvqUS6A8nbSXXC7cZGgT74YwIJwLU9X1vRfYxN9Vih_dUfnb7IFYZYSH1XYdx0OhpIBJ2k2if8AZ0Lske_lrTK1G_BONGtCNMzsIKWMk5R8k/s320/20210918_152539.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvUq5umfWYhr9DaPe1JNzFUeYSRdEIMGqcH7fnByt_zF6taajV_vWRTykUHKY85-J89Dy5KsCPqzr-GtwrUBVFQkg8BTS0pAT01Uw9VMH7Vyda5xt6hbt2GJ29DxlAeZ9voA0lCTmyWI/s2048/20210918_175813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvUq5umfWYhr9DaPe1JNzFUeYSRdEIMGqcH7fnByt_zF6taajV_vWRTykUHKY85-J89Dy5KsCPqzr-GtwrUBVFQkg8BTS0pAT01Uw9VMH7Vyda5xt6hbt2GJ29DxlAeZ9voA0lCTmyWI/s320/20210918_175813.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She is literally glowing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In between my eighth cup of tea and cookies, I couldn't help but think about my Grandma Dolly. I think she would have absolutely gushed about the shower, from start to finish. I could practically hear her voice, pouring another cup of tea and pointing out the lace. It's moments like these that I miss her most. She was there I guess, even if it was in our collective memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was especially nice to see everyone, and I'm hoping I can do more small gatherings this fall, unlike in 2020. We have plans to visit a few spots, including Greenfield Village, though the weather and timing will be a factor. Also, some lovely upcoming Christmas present planning...if only my carpal tunnel doesn't flare up again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-20196214288206697772021-09-12T14:24:00.003-04:002021-09-12T14:24:21.740-04:00A Closer Look: 1918 Flu Comparisons <p>Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, people have made comparisons between it and the 1918 flu. It's easy to do, considering they are both respiratory illnesses and easily spread. Examining the spikes and low points of both are easy to do, especially since they follow the normal trajectory of a virus. I've seen so many articles pointing out similarities and differences, arguments about which is worse.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA2D2JspGWXO2fewY2rKDP5T5_VFzsQBph-76bY7hyphenhyphenqbh6YWYsJF5qoLNscA8zHo2VQ2aUjM7y8bJFSBS9cN_KXZf5NRqZ4-lysGMmrVX0k-2EQmmenlmqJMbMWlRPg1a-5yduL28mpw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA2D2JspGWXO2fewY2rKDP5T5_VFzsQBph-76bY7hyphenhyphenqbh6YWYsJF5qoLNscA8zHo2VQ2aUjM7y8bJFSBS9cN_KXZf5NRqZ4-lysGMmrVX0k-2EQmmenlmqJMbMWlRPg1a-5yduL28mpw/w544-h408/image.png" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.newbernsj.com/news/20200418/for-fayetteville-and-beyond-1918-flu-epidemic-was-a-war-of-survival">1918 Flu</a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH1RSE4U4ew0LHe0ROGFzNzwu7ckd3xVKoAxHEaylGzemQ2XPeU8cbE6Ll-Z0KJmdy5JTXYwBc8QCvpUW6cu24a_CyX1fbhYDl0N-EShW5jG4qd39fXQjAHWvQmcmqvKqmnxoelpwEQc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH1RSE4U4ew0LHe0ROGFzNzwu7ckd3xVKoAxHEaylGzemQ2XPeU8cbE6Ll-Z0KJmdy5JTXYwBc8QCvpUW6cu24a_CyX1fbhYDl0N-EShW5jG4qd39fXQjAHWvQmcmqvKqmnxoelpwEQc/w323-h323/image.png" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/22427/daily-new-reported-deaths-from-covid-19-in-the-united-states/">COVID</a></div><br />Personally, I've had trouble spending any time studying the two. Up until very recently, I was still very angry about my own recovery, and before that terrified that my fiance would get sick and possibly die. I'll never forget those first few months of reports when every day we heard about some doctor or nurse dying. When he came home exhausted from a shift at the hospital, I would watch him breathe while he slept, as if I could keep him safe just by watching. I'm glad that time has passed.<p></p><p>Now with a little distance and a whole lot of antibodies (and no dead close family members), I can start to look at COVID a little differently, as the historic event that is unfolding right before us. Right now we're in the middle of the "unvaccinated" epidemic, but nearly every member of my family/friends are vaccinated. The fear is slowly passing, and I'm replacing that with careful curiosity. Expect to see some posts here and there about my findings.</p><p>Recently I took a closer look at <u>The Camp Sherman News</u>, particularly October 22, 1918. This periodical was published for training military members/townspeople in Chillicothe, Ohio, established in 1917 to train soldiers during World War I. It has all of the regular things you'd expect in a newspaper, like ads and illustrations. But it was some of the headlines that really rang true for me. I've screenshot a few just to show here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg642-EfpiqcbOCq5By6OmPH8Sz1XuIFwPSlIEF_g3ATZjqISx1TjRPL_GOiIR0yO1X1lftmkz-1b6sxTud8JWt_UCGu1LEBsrlaEirsNBo_vr0NLQ0grcTLHEBIO0XYVvbVHmYuY3Uwbw/s685/flu+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="317" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg642-EfpiqcbOCq5By6OmPH8Sz1XuIFwPSlIEF_g3ATZjqISx1TjRPL_GOiIR0yO1X1lftmkz-1b6sxTud8JWt_UCGu1LEBsrlaEirsNBo_vr0NLQ0grcTLHEBIO0XYVvbVHmYuY3Uwbw/w208-h449/flu+1.PNG" width="208" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dP_RUIlpoclzbiDcfnFbzPRXC1JinDtf12fHBw2RTikaB1ab4NhAeVQxqAxrlm0JFQ01KHD-e7tUsOWi9aZ-mB2z3k_XYV5zPqaU57lF05fXyykpUMJXnPxWUB8TN1WRRZr7PWs0O0E/s305/flu+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="305" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dP_RUIlpoclzbiDcfnFbzPRXC1JinDtf12fHBw2RTikaB1ab4NhAeVQxqAxrlm0JFQ01KHD-e7tUsOWi9aZ-mB2z3k_XYV5zPqaU57lF05fXyykpUMJXnPxWUB8TN1WRRZr7PWs0O0E/s0/flu+2.PNG" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpJ5kM2rkZtotFlN_oqZFyWS0_s-iRHw5_Jw6hyCebqLPZb-VYJ4MDVg5m_pflv13zSoWFKEtEYwWyHNtuokhJzF8mk2uEZkR8xsq6zBDG0qlFWfE_CVb3O8JaCPhTjxk_zZ9boiTM5Q/s408/flu+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="408" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpJ5kM2rkZtotFlN_oqZFyWS0_s-iRHw5_Jw6hyCebqLPZb-VYJ4MDVg5m_pflv13zSoWFKEtEYwWyHNtuokhJzF8mk2uEZkR8xsq6zBDG0qlFWfE_CVb3O8JaCPhTjxk_zZ9boiTM5Q/s320/flu+3.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNnCYWf_rbDHLs35hMk1Mkan-G5wva2otjgil-B4_spgUXInR7jstN_QaL-qLSWxNFNLRSkfvRBESoj0e-6pREAUJaeqtGA9gKOXutMdeZST1ktftRn1KIz3hyWp3RGWAnQFykEmTv6I/s363/flu+4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNnCYWf_rbDHLs35hMk1Mkan-G5wva2otjgil-B4_spgUXInR7jstN_QaL-qLSWxNFNLRSkfvRBESoj0e-6pREAUJaeqtGA9gKOXutMdeZST1ktftRn1KIz3hyWp3RGWAnQFykEmTv6I/s320/flu+4.PNG" width="177" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The "42 Sacrificed Own Lives in Nursing Sick" hit me square in the gut, reminding me of the beginning of COVID. Those 42 medical staff included doctors and nurses, people who did everything in their power to save others. As of May 2021, <a href="https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/24/covid-19-estimated-115-000-health-workers-have-died-from-disease-says-who">WHO estimated that 115,000 healthcare workers have died</a> worldwide from COVID, and we've had several months since that estimate. It's a sobering number, considering that many still deny that this virus even exists at all. <div><br /></div><div>I was also excited to see the dedication to the "Camp Laundry." It reminds me in the past year of how other industries have seen more attention because of their work. Most people tend to think of the laundry as a basic service, not important or noteworthy. And yet, with thousands of people dying, clean clothing and bedsheets are essential to keeping a sanitary environment. I think of how for the longest time people have ridiculed those working in the fast-food/service industries. Now with such a shortage, wages are creeping up and people are recognizing how important those workers truly are. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really hoping to see some legislative changes to help people as well.</div><p>The newspaper contains many other awesome little details that I'll weed through in future posts. In the meantime, keep wearing your mask and stay safe. Also, don't be a jerk to people in the service industry, they don't need your crap. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-19615485450286960672021-09-07T21:38:00.000-04:002021-09-07T21:38:09.920-04:00The School Year Begins!<p>There's no tired like the first week of school tired. After a week of professional development, room setup, and lesson planning, I was ready to meet students in my new school district! I'm so excited to work in such a positive environment. My coworkers have been every sort of amazing, to the point that it doesn't even feel like a job. But even a week of awesome is exhausting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QnDVVLv1mVR79rBnB2DugLHLEJnA549TZD8onFXtjQ1DDWGrfkGOTG3ACZ0O3oEwZ1t95ya3cb3xkNqbQs-JVefv7U3zXqk8BpfaFdRcDB8f3YYkXCvXSE7fldtLV5PN8pdbcJubhhQ/s2048/20210907_161225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QnDVVLv1mVR79rBnB2DugLHLEJnA549TZD8onFXtjQ1DDWGrfkGOTG3ACZ0O3oEwZ1t95ya3cb3xkNqbQs-JVefv7U3zXqk8BpfaFdRcDB8f3YYkXCvXSE7fldtLV5PN8pdbcJubhhQ/s320/20210907_161225.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy/Tired Face</div><p></p><p>In other news, many events that I planned to attend this fall/winter are being canceled. With so many people unvaccinated, there seem to be outbreaks popping up everywhere. I'm not excited about the possibility of getting COVID again, no matter how small the chance, or severe the case. Unfortunately, I've seen more than a few reenactors become sick/succumb to the virus. It remains to be seen how the community will recover in the years ahead. As it is, I'm thinking about my own participation.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Remember, stay safe everyone!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-42886228302659462732021-08-29T22:57:00.000-04:002021-08-29T22:57:08.702-04:00Long Haul COVID Symptoms: Update<p>I'm writing this post not long after a friend of mine has died from COVID. He was young, healthy, unvaccinated; it's odd to think he will no longer be in this world. I didn't make it to his funeral, but I went to a gathering for friends later, and it was hard. </p><p>His death, and the illnesses/hospitalizations of many people I know, helped me to decide to do another update post on my health. Our household is fully vaccinated, which is a relief, though we will be getting the booster shots as soon as they are available. I would get a shot every day for the rest of my life if it meant not going through what I went through already.</p><p>To start, my taste and smell senses are still altered. I cannot always identify a scent and will ask people around me to help "place" it. That might sound just annoying, but in reality, it creates a lot of problems. I still have trouble figuring out if food has gone bad. I am self-conscious that I smell bad. Sometimes a strong odor of plastic or cigarette will randomly fill my nostrils. It's not pleasant and it's a daily reminder.</p><p>I think my tastes have changed since COVID. Before I preferred chocolate desserts with subtle taste in my meals. Now I'll take anything really tart, sour, or strong. Pickled eggs are still my favorite, along with swiss cheese. I'm also a fan of anything crunchy and salty, which isn't great for eating healthy. I'm wondering when I'll feel comfortable eating again. I still have symptoms of IBS when I eat certain foods or if I get too anxious. Apparently, this is another long-term problem they're seeing. It's painful, and sometimes difficult to function in any way resembling normal.</p><p>When I work out, my heart rate gets very fast, and I'll get dizzy and sick to my stomach. I've never had that issue in the past. I played three sports in high school, did Pure Barre in 2019, and have run 5ks. I've been heavier, and more out of shape than I am at this time, and still did many things. It's really frustrating because I now have a limit, a stopping point, that is painful to push. This isn't "girl out of shape," this is "I am very suddenly going to pass out, sit down now." I'm trying hard to work through it, but it's definitely hindering my long-term recovery efforts. My balance is still off too.</p><p>My words have improved greatly, though I still forget things, things I should know. My brain has created a workaround for trying to name things. Just the other day I forgot the word "references" when doing job interviews. I called them "recommenders," which got the job done, but scared me a little. Are there things in my memory that are erased? Are there small moments in my past that are gone forever? My Spanish speaking skills have improved, which has been a great relief. Yet there are so many question marks about what happened during those weeks when I existed in a fog of pain. <br /></p><p>There are still people out there minimizing COVID. They say things like "you're alive, get over it!" with a shrill insistence that my suffering was necessary. Here I am, 10 months later, coming to terms with the fact that this might not be "long haul COVID," but "forever COVID," and I really, really didn't want to be here. I just want things to be back to normal with my mind and body.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pTpfuO4DdhTJILA9pzRaBlWdiwozXreJbEL8HzOMW6UNWw85KdHUwKFUKSyjiAhxJpLMga4ZEVeciauNi8HqdwdSkJjOQEeVrQkA4mksGocCOHtX4MkhUInw_Ne79a7CdAIvOb52N8E/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="727" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pTpfuO4DdhTJILA9pzRaBlWdiwozXreJbEL8HzOMW6UNWw85KdHUwKFUKSyjiAhxJpLMga4ZEVeciauNi8HqdwdSkJjOQEeVrQkA4mksGocCOHtX4MkhUInw_Ne79a7CdAIvOb52N8E/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With masks a heavily debated issue in my state/county, I try to keep myself out of the conversation. It makes me so angry, so tired to hear anti-science rhetoric woven into the fabric of some communities. I watched a board meeting the other day where a crowd of people CHEERED when it was revealed that there was a low vaccination rate in the area. They were proud. This was the community where I once worked; I contracted this virus from a staff member or student the very first week we went to school. It's like what happened to me never happened at all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whoever you are, wherever you are reading this, I hope you are vaccinated. I hope you are as safe as you can be. Heck, start wearing masks again in indoor public places, just to humor me. If I can save one person the trouble and pain of long-haul COVID, then this post was worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-18086899128205742462021-08-24T13:05:00.002-04:002021-08-24T13:05:10.195-04:00A Visit to Ann Arbor<p>The summer wouldn't be complete without a quick visit to Ann Arbor, the home of my alma mater! With some of the restrictions lifted on campus for vaccinated visitors, it was a treat to check out the museum, <a href="https://umma.umich.edu/">UMMA</a>. Back when we first visited (forever ago...) it was fairly new without a lot of exhibits. We were excited to see new artifacts, and I was a big fan of how they used them to tell a story.</p><p>It's also lovely to take a stroll down streets that are so familiar. I remember hustling across campus to get to class on time, sneaking over to the Union to grab a cookie at lunch, and hunkering down at a computer at the Fish Bowl (probably called something else now!). Of course, things look very different, but they still feel the same. It was definitely worth the trip just for nostalgia alone!</p><p>At the end of a full day of walking, we were pretty tired. We stopped at Dominick's, a yummy Italian restaurant with a porch near the law quad. There's something to be said for a big plate of homemade pasta, specifically if that meal includes a gorgeous view of historic buildings. We also stopped at a shop that exclusively sells bon bons, which was an absolutely necessary experience. By the time we finished our visit we were stuffed with food, tired, and ready for a nap. Really I'm not seeing too much of a difference between college and now... :) </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcspOSEVAR6kGMt7KjGVu2DLekAom8S3DZwFCGtOVHASgOQWM7tgZyA8PpS7HlPAuFgUXaoRBnSdTEyxpTP80oSYNR8MlvdWXVIOc3ZsITOFaU4DyCQgLirqp6x9NzLfMITRHjgVXfFMc/s2048/20210814_142613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcspOSEVAR6kGMt7KjGVu2DLekAom8S3DZwFCGtOVHASgOQWM7tgZyA8PpS7HlPAuFgUXaoRBnSdTEyxpTP80oSYNR8MlvdWXVIOc3ZsITOFaU4DyCQgLirqp6x9NzLfMITRHjgVXfFMc/s320/20210814_142613.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex-ZtIAJ6cngWdxXkRMozzST5LCNL8jmkyv-dd7SNpyz_BoU07S52nl-q5dZDAwJLOaOLzVK9kIi1qCAhu3U_RPXbPo__e8b08PtDS1mrZmI9kMQcAKKfYLIWAl_8MQg08U0qlJdD86E/s2048/20210814_170617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex-ZtIAJ6cngWdxXkRMozzST5LCNL8jmkyv-dd7SNpyz_BoU07S52nl-q5dZDAwJLOaOLzVK9kIi1qCAhu3U_RPXbPo__e8b08PtDS1mrZmI9kMQcAKKfYLIWAl_8MQg08U0qlJdD86E/s320/20210814_170617.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeOQzyTQKSZUhun9llFcmYmAcravsrLJoPlBQZUXnSBB3RuzgZj80OLGoSt63BN2dBEqXVDPz5Y0j9t9FhR_gaFr09Q5QkRe7LvLuD7VA8S_7YoBghpWaHkXjsiVU6cJ_SS8L2bsw4IM/s2048/20210814_135453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeOQzyTQKSZUhun9llFcmYmAcravsrLJoPlBQZUXnSBB3RuzgZj80OLGoSt63BN2dBEqXVDPz5Y0j9t9FhR_gaFr09Q5QkRe7LvLuD7VA8S_7YoBghpWaHkXjsiVU6cJ_SS8L2bsw4IM/s320/20210814_135453.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBrXrRKcheGXqMzla9rwNMn-0-bhXduj9qGKlyS71aL0_vduOZV-rzrDelWy0Fp29BVQgDiAvRzYsGLYmBY_N7_jlGOkmKkx3SSpg1DO8roU_IYWKqAa71DqzB_tHW58RcmHOLPGATTY/s320/20210814_141712.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv11kPllSa0IAuthIjXe9IcagdGQTtK6iW4JxpNudJzp4gqO3AC0zYuzL3c7s43obhQReUAbSAtpv14BNUwL_1MvHofBg-GClQ_cqCBj0x8xuwUEosUEsoMBVLped103jItlYh4AeLa-E/s2048/20210814_140759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv11kPllSa0IAuthIjXe9IcagdGQTtK6iW4JxpNudJzp4gqO3AC0zYuzL3c7s43obhQReUAbSAtpv14BNUwL_1MvHofBg-GClQ_cqCBj0x8xuwUEosUEsoMBVLped103jItlYh4AeLa-E/s320/20210814_140759.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-80009054182525641492021-08-08T17:29:00.001-04:002021-08-08T17:29:21.559-04:00The Detroit Historical Museum Visit<p>I'm rather shocked at myself for not making the trip to the <a href="https://detroithistorical.org/detroit-historical-museum/plan-your-visit/general-information">Detroit Historical Museum</a> earlier, considering I've lived in this part of Michigan for nearly a decade. I blame the DIA, which is very close by and offers a wine bar/cafe in a very pretty courtyard. But I had a little bit of extra time during the school summer break and had an opportunity to make the visit.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wL3QLtUmCfogobN9uYhBvWN6n028fFigQJHajBrZ-LTU3BPQznN3kkRJ8rISxqqE0K10fZzWukltg_Z6LPTdgo63w2y8mUblMvHaraOGtzoy-3agMStfaSn3U05U40vLIeuUmvojEd0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1200" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wL3QLtUmCfogobN9uYhBvWN6n028fFigQJHajBrZ-LTU3BPQznN3kkRJ8rISxqqE0K10fZzWukltg_Z6LPTdgo63w2y8mUblMvHaraOGtzoy-3agMStfaSn3U05U40vLIeuUmvojEd0/" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I'm afraid I didn't take a lot of very good pictures. I was so busy reading and looking at different exhibits that I sort of forgot about using this for a blog post. Do you ever get so caught up in the moment that you forget to capture it? I'm usually more on top of things, but this trip was almost therapeutic in that I just wanted the experience of it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wUBxgvACeQzaYkci5pzKfzAvKKH_NU9jeGgCRbz4jpmj4k-6Cxczw6mCvpm_FxPag5NCczc8CutZmexv4eb7G2zs3jxqPKkSmYqd8E7wVeqehpWwFOePPdCy_ZnpJswP9KFcwtz-Pjk/s2048/20210422_150711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wUBxgvACeQzaYkci5pzKfzAvKKH_NU9jeGgCRbz4jpmj4k-6Cxczw6mCvpm_FxPag5NCczc8CutZmexv4eb7G2zs3jxqPKkSmYqd8E7wVeqehpWwFOePPdCy_ZnpJswP9KFcwtz-Pjk/s320/20210422_150711.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a lot of history to unpack in Detroit, a city of change, growth, failure, and triumph. Having lived in downriver Detroit for much of my childhood, I learned about many of these stories. However, there's something absolutely different to see videos and artifacts. One really cool moment; I saw a map of the riots in the 1960's; my Grandma gave birth to my Mom during the Detroit Riot of 1967. She was a newborn and required to stay at the hospital for some time due to an illness. The staff was nervous about what was happening, and my family had to make decisions about my Mom at the hospital because of it. It's interesting to see it mapped out in a museum! (I feel like that could be a blog post all by itself!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaNNjXNCU2dQay0s2QRwPaWLvF815Gq5zj53VdAlftUZoIUd9iD-zCpKYGCCptlkzhuhQQDuFbyV4Or0gAbe_LjnfriYc9qWIe4EHqcKFUJ_UxMDCwLjfASIdGz7C6E86da0sgj-hUXM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="300" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaNNjXNCU2dQay0s2QRwPaWLvF815Gq5zj53VdAlftUZoIUd9iD-zCpKYGCCptlkzhuhQQDuFbyV4Or0gAbe_LjnfriYc9qWIe4EHqcKFUJ_UxMDCwLjfASIdGz7C6E86da0sgj-hUXM/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hhnmag.com/articles/7214-throwback-thursday-race-riots-overwhelmed-detroit-hospitals-back-in--">The numbers represent hospitals that were involved (My Mom was at #2)</a></div><br />There were a lot of other exhibits, and I spent hours wandering around. The basement of the museum features a town, complete with brick road and storefronts. I was the only one down there for a little while, and it was pretty creepy. They had mannequins in different windows, and when I say that I saw their eyes move, I'm only slightly kidding. I did not stick around long enough to be a part of a horror movie...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPH15xbDYSv_eLcnuIXHeOmJIj-I7lLw1pTxfXOX5vn4SsH0gkPLLvr27D5FwXPBcgVfPYMPoJXCdGFC5quzlfkU2x7qfqLxhc2KdbaVkatuf5uuBZfe5MacSh2YsM52FG3OKGOVKrsc/s2048/20210422_151802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPH15xbDYSv_eLcnuIXHeOmJIj-I7lLw1pTxfXOX5vn4SsH0gkPLLvr27D5FwXPBcgVfPYMPoJXCdGFC5quzlfkU2x7qfqLxhc2KdbaVkatuf5uuBZfe5MacSh2YsM52FG3OKGOVKrsc/s320/20210422_151802.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGD1jyR9J3484Hb47p6miO-k9bbhEADWCA438gPepY0Zx07SkxMAm3v2UW5LmRXDx1WXIHk4GhwsDB9ysykaT0-Qric1jcM2J5XJpxPqc62IExvzGLj714pEb1PO7qS3hzQ17c7Vc9XPA/s2048/20210422_152013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGD1jyR9J3484Hb47p6miO-k9bbhEADWCA438gPepY0Zx07SkxMAm3v2UW5LmRXDx1WXIHk4GhwsDB9ysykaT0-Qric1jcM2J5XJpxPqc62IExvzGLj714pEb1PO7qS3hzQ17c7Vc9XPA/s320/20210422_152013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a random scatter of photos, and since I was really lazy about this whole process, I don't remember details around them (LOL Covid brain!). If you'd like to know more about something you see in particular, feel free to drop a comment. We live close enough that I can return whenever I like!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBPbxJ_UzbDBlZwIiRd898rDCFWZs6q_njGJZio8lfrYQfhj0kMRi46S1XcjLnV2jyrq9dqd1aw76WYoEf00-K2-CJwLL3foaNVRxtssb-cyUuk7r9WHHxAZfh71vnFKxDoSTVEFjVpI/s2048/20210422_153233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBPbxJ_UzbDBlZwIiRd898rDCFWZs6q_njGJZio8lfrYQfhj0kMRi46S1XcjLnV2jyrq9dqd1aw76WYoEf00-K2-CJwLL3foaNVRxtssb-cyUuk7r9WHHxAZfh71vnFKxDoSTVEFjVpI/s320/20210422_153233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyrG5Cx69sNS_wRWFCqtq4tdcJME7oBKQlb8NlzsCQ7nYTnd8YpGpifCG1pbu5yhXRiC6FwbecLyZkgc0BCOkBzVPPdfDu7WArLvkNt13V5P9GY24f6XHb-tvuU9vtOVOhbmEwHpXNWM/s2048/20210422_150720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyrG5Cx69sNS_wRWFCqtq4tdcJME7oBKQlb8NlzsCQ7nYTnd8YpGpifCG1pbu5yhXRiC6FwbecLyZkgc0BCOkBzVPPdfDu7WArLvkNt13V5P9GY24f6XHb-tvuU9vtOVOhbmEwHpXNWM/s320/20210422_150720.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOvfTxi2lP_tfgu8gdMsU5D_dnAnfLSczMbDSJIuAqIKQWEmMNUW6ywe_mwxEF7c3H3h-s7EaTcoOkLnIT1m1Aj-nAQAO09igdhUGjN9uIsEn1noIjKWGthI8yvcBzRVKxVMV6npO7CQ/s2048/20210422_150756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOvfTxi2lP_tfgu8gdMsU5D_dnAnfLSczMbDSJIuAqIKQWEmMNUW6ywe_mwxEF7c3H3h-s7EaTcoOkLnIT1m1Aj-nAQAO09igdhUGjN9uIsEn1noIjKWGthI8yvcBzRVKxVMV6npO7CQ/s320/20210422_150756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H7LyRg-ElVqFQzBuQqVNHRwcCOuKJiLp_oIbjZYkpzFOUYDlkpQqmhItQTHhk8SmT3TQyi06wskN9jVxVW7CkjLMUQVbBG_y4jjILrsPHix0Sy-fyWpDkyE52frCPSu6c-lH5Ignnf4/s2048/20210422_151352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H7LyRg-ElVqFQzBuQqVNHRwcCOuKJiLp_oIbjZYkpzFOUYDlkpQqmhItQTHhk8SmT3TQyi06wskN9jVxVW7CkjLMUQVbBG_y4jjILrsPHix0Sy-fyWpDkyE52frCPSu6c-lH5Ignnf4/s320/20210422_151352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtzkzr7SpT-dI2RY2CxNYMjdhrGfYWy7_gcldzxphOZTFw49F0ifO1Ru2FblRZAnxVPP0piCGdIiuItHUYSf6f9nXCp1H9F4dI-LZe-cdUBo2QHrAnhhcXOH_UpedNYmz5nsRmNYdCDQ/s2048/20210422_151836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtzkzr7SpT-dI2RY2CxNYMjdhrGfYWy7_gcldzxphOZTFw49F0ifO1Ru2FblRZAnxVPP0piCGdIiuItHUYSf6f9nXCp1H9F4dI-LZe-cdUBo2QHrAnhhcXOH_UpedNYmz5nsRmNYdCDQ/s320/20210422_151836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90XoIDe4u9UT0I_5LEOftOho4Oayq0Ma7dQmxkF52jlugfh49DiVTWunC1G-C5DO3Cy9fx3PwFNKUqRei70zxxQS4byOyU9SEvOOMn4y6F-2lU91eJBjH34oZh9U9wfy5XI7-_3ATyCc/s2048/20210422_152206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90XoIDe4u9UT0I_5LEOftOho4Oayq0Ma7dQmxkF52jlugfh49DiVTWunC1G-C5DO3Cy9fx3PwFNKUqRei70zxxQS4byOyU9SEvOOMn4y6F-2lU91eJBjH34oZh9U9wfy5XI7-_3ATyCc/s320/20210422_152206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtvoiKu4rFgrpKrUzrezcSSsFpWUt1A8p514EnCWkGnhVUK_LtiKJNq86T8Iya7ywhs4cFAThsLevvWwV1HpfCyvB7dI-JfDPOuMtZ8lZNilXHAjPzSe5_FDh9PPsI4D-99lHFH7XEUo/s2048/20210422_152555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtvoiKu4rFgrpKrUzrezcSSsFpWUt1A8p514EnCWkGnhVUK_LtiKJNq86T8Iya7ywhs4cFAThsLevvWwV1HpfCyvB7dI-JfDPOuMtZ8lZNilXHAjPzSe5_FDh9PPsI4D-99lHFH7XEUo/s320/20210422_152555.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW4K5x-372_j3ArakGlRWuoNsTTzpWWXisFfq9Mo_V64rb_FfTyjiN1Sb1V-fC5VCIt-98LNsUpFcgO5HYZUJlkKszRZz82l2lAAfl70zzekYkcsht7HZg8-O5SItkJoB9WoXi4pfLmc/s2048/20210422_153046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW4K5x-372_j3ArakGlRWuoNsTTzpWWXisFfq9Mo_V64rb_FfTyjiN1Sb1V-fC5VCIt-98LNsUpFcgO5HYZUJlkKszRZz82l2lAAfl70zzekYkcsht7HZg8-O5SItkJoB9WoXi4pfLmc/s320/20210422_153046.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-EpYfVAwnonMi1fVrsB4-GIU_qymG1xxDd0voXpadsSyjlMSKVQ9WSW9FpCZwqdsfqozV-WmdHSzLINlh0T3VM4S_eZWq5c-FRWszKOuwu18n9VymLI-MyfLvTVqg4UJrzuXDJHJi00/s2048/20210422_153417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-EpYfVAwnonMi1fVrsB4-GIU_qymG1xxDd0voXpadsSyjlMSKVQ9WSW9FpCZwqdsfqozV-WmdHSzLINlh0T3VM4S_eZWq5c-FRWszKOuwu18n9VymLI-MyfLvTVqg4UJrzuXDJHJi00/s320/20210422_153417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After looking at these pictures, I'm already planning my next visit. Perhaps I can send my beloved fiance to the basement on a mission to snap some creepy pics...he's pretty smart, so I doubt he'll be tricked into it. If you have a chance to visit The Detroit Historical Museum, I recommend the visit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-48523622186507579292021-08-02T12:27:00.000-04:002021-08-02T12:27:01.366-04:00The Last Drops of SummerIt's finally starting to dawn on me that my summer is ending. After the longest, most difficult school year of my entire career, those precious few months have whittled down to only two weeks. I'm both excited and nervous about what this fall will bring.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ntQqZm9jt9ndTIQbzInbWnWA8a7BNWsoZ58Gw5vjISv3WABOOFKhiVj6M6DPODflXY6hOZ7DpJEw0F_v16aSFMHbigsnX2CxAG9bAEjYzbLCfM8fI1se912aZ-WKVujMawgLM6vxegc/s2048/20210623_214513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ntQqZm9jt9ndTIQbzInbWnWA8a7BNWsoZ58Gw5vjISv3WABOOFKhiVj6M6DPODflXY6hOZ7DpJEw0F_v16aSFMHbigsnX2CxAG9bAEjYzbLCfM8fI1se912aZ-WKVujMawgLM6vxegc/s320/20210623_214513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Like many other educators, I've tried to spend the summer relaxing, or at the very least keeping my blood pressure down (LOL!). I'm not exaggerating when I say that thinking about the past school year triggers my anxiety; between my extended illness, incidents of racism/homophobia, a lack of resources, and constantly changing health measures, my body was just done. To say that the break was needed is an understatement. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItNqOmUpCg00YFmBo3LejkM09YLkQ6mcfD6tKNghge8UhRMCKXuU8LAKwifmMDCaLPmDBX85fl1Yk4ba8U3L7Lknsn90Bvsq02o95pFlzXdM8g46efNkEZUDLsw4neunuaziCr94TNA4/s2048/20210731_151319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItNqOmUpCg00YFmBo3LejkM09YLkQ6mcfD6tKNghge8UhRMCKXuU8LAKwifmMDCaLPmDBX85fl1Yk4ba8U3L7Lknsn90Bvsq02o95pFlzXdM8g46efNkEZUDLsw4neunuaziCr94TNA4/s320/20210731_151319.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>But I'm slowly bringing myself back. I've started cleaning and organizing the house, preparing for the fall. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3TCKYCJKP8QF8?ref_=wl_share">And I have a school book wishlist if you're interested in buying a book for my classroom</a>. I've had a hard time being creative at all, but I'm slowly doing little projects here and there. Within the next few weeks, I hope to be in the right state of mind to be back to my cheerful, teaching self. My students deserve that, just as much as I do!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>~Kristen</u></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-55344387446188469362021-07-27T16:30:00.002-04:002021-07-27T16:30:08.195-04:00A Fascinator Workshop<p>This past weekend I had the opportunity to take another workshop at the Governor Warner Mansion, this time with <a href="https://www.derbyhatsbyrachelle.com/">Derby Hats by Rachelle</a>. While it's been ages since I've needed a fascinator for a tea event, it's best to be prepared. It was good practice in color combination and design and I spent most of the time situating material in every which direction. I'm particularly fond of the blue, gold, and brown color scheme right now. I'm thinking this will be part of an autumn ensemble.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIFBZ3gX2bBZd1eCuXRLhC4eyb5SXngHjVY8CWqq8CevW2OHJ4wUWGtiD7qDZUoRNrWAkYuhpCHURw4B7TitBsDkJyFPjfEp7kd2AxcllapAm7ZwYUhxwDg9FI8UIk6cFCF7sGkmgsn8/s2048/20210724_105706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIFBZ3gX2bBZd1eCuXRLhC4eyb5SXngHjVY8CWqq8CevW2OHJ4wUWGtiD7qDZUoRNrWAkYuhpCHURw4B7TitBsDkJyFPjfEp7kd2AxcllapAm7ZwYUhxwDg9FI8UIk6cFCF7sGkmgsn8/s320/20210724_105706.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8423W0qzAkA7PrCANaajihUEAYV6My3fDOcKnqjTuV-mMfMvoRJDz8hupqxTCU-7DQfGWOBN3xfLpzRY-d88-Xi4mGgPe9HYl4uIP0mvci057U2E3cAw9E0F-nPYWgkE90NpT1XfNHR0/s2048/20210724_102352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8423W0qzAkA7PrCANaajihUEAYV6My3fDOcKnqjTuV-mMfMvoRJDz8hupqxTCU-7DQfGWOBN3xfLpzRY-d88-Xi4mGgPe9HYl4uIP0mvci057U2E3cAw9E0F-nPYWgkE90NpT1XfNHR0/s320/20210724_102352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPBhZeezESoDK58YKCdqBiu1bFwcmpnHYodbmDqefed09UslVQp5lLm8huTqgRHWAOV07U6iKNefqwHGROJuFYEvTTrMN3Od0DqrNI8_3qNYo0DzzReeW6MYv3Et2TwiqI_fik7LFZLg/s2048/20210724_105702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPBhZeezESoDK58YKCdqBiu1bFwcmpnHYodbmDqefed09UslVQp5lLm8huTqgRHWAOV07U6iKNefqwHGROJuFYEvTTrMN3Od0DqrNI8_3qNYo0DzzReeW6MYv3Et2TwiqI_fik7LFZLg/s320/20210724_105702.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw7KI1gsDkvHmt5xNGOfuy2Bhzw8szXmNK5Xt0Beyopv0C2wqEDWkz1S3kdpukfzR0pfDj46BLHwpAMuBJ0Er2bsZvQbT21Rffd4MtIcwRvjVRA8S4kXayCQ6-yt0hLtXDuuWmzhS1Yw/s2048/20210724_120440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw7KI1gsDkvHmt5xNGOfuy2Bhzw8szXmNK5Xt0Beyopv0C2wqEDWkz1S3kdpukfzR0pfDj46BLHwpAMuBJ0Er2bsZvQbT21Rffd4MtIcwRvjVRA8S4kXayCQ6-yt0hLtXDuuWmzhS1Yw/s320/20210724_120440.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoHDjVOHm2y3NvELMLH_ZurZfVz-hDfQ9y1LLbUoc5Ao6UvlhD9JlTgHkwepHdBI2tEt_yp9javcYGodFhBDS0miTeDW84NiLeq1GegNB9Uew-2n05hkO4Kl8jWp27eAlpuzu2QGNK4o/s2048/20210724_115130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoHDjVOHm2y3NvELMLH_ZurZfVz-hDfQ9y1LLbUoc5Ao6UvlhD9JlTgHkwepHdBI2tEt_yp9javcYGodFhBDS0miTeDW84NiLeq1GegNB9Uew-2n05hkO4Kl8jWp27eAlpuzu2QGNK4o/s320/20210724_115130.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now let's see if I can keep it safe from the cats!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-70120755065277616552021-07-25T22:12:00.001-04:002021-07-25T22:12:31.949-04:00Kura: Michigan's Only Revolving Sushi Bar<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The state of Michigan can FINALLY boast its own revolving sushi bar! I visited one in California years ago and absolutely loved the experience. If you've never eaten at a revolving sushi bar, it's basically a restaurant with a conveyor belt that runs through the whole thing with food on it. You simply grab a plate, eat, and drop it in the slot. The machine adds up plates and that is your bill! Kura also featured a prize machine, and after some plates, I got a prize!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bte4_RmUG-CrATxB8SQnkSh32prJC7SOCesGYB18DWyPdx2_5Ly7ccAuvhLP6B3W9Y4xQejDqcmGZJqh-obs365rTKUvqhEAQZk5TtfKtYZu9s0WCHtw24025JlIfXEcvtc9XnzfzEA/s2048/20210724_144925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bte4_RmUG-CrATxB8SQnkSh32prJC7SOCesGYB18DWyPdx2_5Ly7ccAuvhLP6B3W9Y4xQejDqcmGZJqh-obs365rTKUvqhEAQZk5TtfKtYZu9s0WCHtw24025JlIfXEcvtc9XnzfzEA/s320/20210724_144925.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zrYEG9CYJ_zogBXPjb1vtg7_JEKSAN-zQPKhBctGbpPZj27QViw7wq_twHjc9L_t_dOQVdd6PUwGFqBMVVXVD9FCKspfXGVlLL299Be_axESvWm6EH2u-umfMmX5LHzJqwKp2tplhaY/s2048/20210724_145320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zrYEG9CYJ_zogBXPjb1vtg7_JEKSAN-zQPKhBctGbpPZj27QViw7wq_twHjc9L_t_dOQVdd6PUwGFqBMVVXVD9FCKspfXGVlLL299Be_axESvWm6EH2u-umfMmX5LHzJqwKp2tplhaY/s320/20210724_145320.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqFumsLcm_iAZm3tynqNsbnyibw4zUUTw25iL0ayM82FIlMXvhIy9pAbdcAXbjlP84Vk__z6CcoCi-Sd25jmiHLfwHoq-d4gdFR9dqUT3zZmjGFPKpkAj5h5Wg4rvbegLgczoxhgRs7s/s2048/20210724_145307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqFumsLcm_iAZm3tynqNsbnyibw4zUUTw25iL0ayM82FIlMXvhIy9pAbdcAXbjlP84Vk__z6CcoCi-Sd25jmiHLfwHoq-d4gdFR9dqUT3zZmjGFPKpkAj5h5Wg4rvbegLgczoxhgRs7s/s320/20210724_145307.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4RLjiVx2C0CSNlMrNq6gP_1T5tb2DSzZ8AxQDuVIGc2jGy_H7h5Cu4vLg_qUl8q8xzTnupYfEYz16y4l1meDZLrS5H-a9p2Ma2b8ispM5L_KkLK4fa39EW3j7tCPcyeUxhN3TWwzt_A/s2048/20210724_151301+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4RLjiVx2C0CSNlMrNq6gP_1T5tb2DSzZ8AxQDuVIGc2jGy_H7h5Cu4vLg_qUl8q8xzTnupYfEYz16y4l1meDZLrS5H-a9p2Ma2b8ispM5L_KkLK4fa39EW3j7tCPcyeUxhN3TWwzt_A/s320/20210724_151301+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4rO1ALygkt_-r8jxNTep3nHIGA-WWUq5-GrEDlYhXeLmcNxVHxbGLxeW5B9qCAheVvOLVM5p0D0-oVy-9APJ8XT_i9ZCH52qg_xURXdDQfOfZM90j3p2AV1xeFrB7TtZA3aPybaBfOY/s2048/20210724_153620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4rO1ALygkt_-r8jxNTep3nHIGA-WWUq5-GrEDlYhXeLmcNxVHxbGLxeW5B9qCAheVvOLVM5p0D0-oVy-9APJ8XT_i9ZCH52qg_xURXdDQfOfZM90j3p2AV1xeFrB7TtZA3aPybaBfOY/s320/20210724_153620.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAnukmuBfbqqNZpBtceDSpYpkdN5BrWTnWleXIc8HKhMkjFIG51IkKvc4ypQQZ4DJD252BcxDIjvMFa5WhyphenhyphentRyF33Mvbyq8pTo_aGhiosMhE6JwCBYbdtAJcAI0uuHefdjR-PBTzU86g/s2048/20210724_154418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAnukmuBfbqqNZpBtceDSpYpkdN5BrWTnWleXIc8HKhMkjFIG51IkKvc4ypQQZ4DJD252BcxDIjvMFa5WhyphenhyphentRyF33Mvbyq8pTo_aGhiosMhE6JwCBYbdtAJcAI0uuHefdjR-PBTzU86g/s320/20210724_154418.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqfSd_VbtStajYNmyIESKNhbIT5V3k1EOchGl69-Iz9hzSojtV7_fQqmcTGe0EztWX5P0XEKwGrFXuEw-GZ54IFDgFVANAWMBl3hgry42P3Fu3Gpw3CMu7StEnneD37XMqxkZU7fbCWM/s2048/20210724_154135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqfSd_VbtStajYNmyIESKNhbIT5V3k1EOchGl69-Iz9hzSojtV7_fQqmcTGe0EztWX5P0XEKwGrFXuEw-GZ54IFDgFVANAWMBl3hgry42P3Fu3Gpw3CMu7StEnneD37XMqxkZU7fbCWM/s320/20210724_154135.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgHHJootY2NrS8YRtGxN0T1gcEOyRh3DGYCATUJMDOwVFnFinwI22kkTQ1OmnbNPsN6IrhWToZaHU4ylQPCQJeHamh6loLdKb7_BZS16uQz095lzVssOAZp4TK8rHUcnuamkoyUpNpbQ/s2048/20210724_154154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgHHJootY2NrS8YRtGxN0T1gcEOyRh3DGYCATUJMDOwVFnFinwI22kkTQ1OmnbNPsN6IrhWToZaHU4ylQPCQJeHamh6loLdKb7_BZS16uQz095lzVssOAZp4TK8rHUcnuamkoyUpNpbQ/s320/20210724_154154.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLRFg3v-BYpLy8dXcLlRjt5Qn-fwAYsS78Se0WwbMU5qgrGyFtuJ51jlHxN7B8pf9m3cuoM7sAq3lKcGyG3msddWGEpq8bToXv2hKffj8ncaohy6vJf12oDoVPKk8Qi8SN3chxnyXzxc/s2048/20210724_154937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLRFg3v-BYpLy8dXcLlRjt5Qn-fwAYsS78Se0WwbMU5qgrGyFtuJ51jlHxN7B8pf9m3cuoM7sAq3lKcGyG3msddWGEpq8bToXv2hKffj8ncaohy6vJf12oDoVPKk8Qi8SN3chxnyXzxc/s320/20210724_154937.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a little pricey, but definitely worth the experience. I adore sushi, as well as cute anime characters. I don't even know where I'm going to put my prize pin yet, but now I kind of want to collect them all. Since we ate such a colossal amount of sushi, I'm not sure when we'll go back. I might need a break for a few weeks. If you ever get an opportunity to eat at a revolving sushi bar, I 10/10 recommend it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6057813257963041703.post-82721033370281566952021-07-21T12:38:00.001-04:002021-07-21T12:38:00.201-04:00Another Sailing Adventure<p>Summer sailing! This time we sailed up in Caseville, in the watery thumb of Michigan! It was a pretty chilly weekend even with the wetsuits. As much as you prepare yourself for the cold, nothing really can when you're on the water for four hours getting water everywhere. Catamarans are made for windy, splashy days, not a chilly, overcast race.</p><p>I've gotten much stronger, even stronger than last year when I sailed. I was worried that I wouldn't have the endurance to do more than an hour of sailing, but I was able to do it all. Of course the Pure Barre workouts and walking may have helped with that! Regardless, we placed 5th in one of the races, which I am satisfied with considering last year I was so nervous. I'm definitely getting the hang of things, going out on windier days, and learning all of the correct terms. I'm almost a proper sailor!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ohMvrFDt-jwWcXABSBz3CfDHQl8ne-QcXryje22cLPbTmvu3PPh2G-oIE-Mq56kvw07S3i_lBsp37S010er2qfMOBjLrOkIP5OKXa8AXyRi9RzNltnslhagU7v_V67IMj-05GkxYao/s2048/20210710_125045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ohMvrFDt-jwWcXABSBz3CfDHQl8ne-QcXryje22cLPbTmvu3PPh2G-oIE-Mq56kvw07S3i_lBsp37S010er2qfMOBjLrOkIP5OKXa8AXyRi9RzNltnslhagU7v_V67IMj-05GkxYao/s320/20210710_125045.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-rClfAxZM8jZM4kfdl6zpwtsyH_syfRxfMKeANwypBOIu0KlvH8EWfHYOX5WEJ0uoI3ZEW1Ssjpqo6QZHHZEKdnzHnNMOVcsD1esWXXy2BLhUynPSo-fQ8tjmjMlUQrUz-25Le13Thw/s2048/20210710_125211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-rClfAxZM8jZM4kfdl6zpwtsyH_syfRxfMKeANwypBOIu0KlvH8EWfHYOX5WEJ0uoI3ZEW1Ssjpqo6QZHHZEKdnzHnNMOVcsD1esWXXy2BLhUynPSo-fQ8tjmjMlUQrUz-25Le13Thw/s320/20210710_125211.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjklL3PQRNxq7qpZGn0dFs9u914vjwoeBEOs3n4aXKxKTuTX2tHfNglLplJggj59LWNifQgheVv5CsqPtkmRhAi5VZwxmRCN3ItSj9NINKtcdVQ3HvrvdQK3Z8fI-36AVyeRliymG2js/s2048/20210710_125117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjklL3PQRNxq7qpZGn0dFs9u914vjwoeBEOs3n4aXKxKTuTX2tHfNglLplJggj59LWNifQgheVv5CsqPtkmRhAi5VZwxmRCN3ItSj9NINKtcdVQ3HvrvdQK3Z8fI-36AVyeRliymG2js/s320/20210710_125117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaPKjC1PDd0XLE-oqVhWa6qc89MI1Q6DclYwep1syrGG1leI4zaFueXrDhFCBl0rXAE2nSd16hwQElw1RNz5VwFrMHltuKC-KgqfuyTRA7oaMAy0ubH1kvwCTewzryni9Nvc8c0ZWl5U/s2048/20210710_094934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaPKjC1PDd0XLE-oqVhWa6qc89MI1Q6DclYwep1syrGG1leI4zaFueXrDhFCBl0rXAE2nSd16hwQElw1RNz5VwFrMHltuKC-KgqfuyTRA7oaMAy0ubH1kvwCTewzryni9Nvc8c0ZWl5U/s320/20210710_094934.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's odd that a chunk of summer is already gone. I've yet to really relax into a summer schedule. I have a few trips planned in August, so maybe by then I'll get to feel vacation. I hope you're staying safe and enjoying the sun! Hopefully I can sail again before we start school in the fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>~Kristen</u></i></b></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0