Benny LOVES the snow. I don't have any photos of his making snow angels, but trust me, he does. These photos give you an idea of a) how hard Benny is willing to work to get to play in the snow and b) how much snow there really is in our yard and in Farmington (it's not just our yard).
A pair of ski patrollers head around the back side of the snowfields at Sugarloaf/USA Thursday afternoon to check out the terrain. With nearly zero wind at the top and bright sunny skies, conditions were perfect not only for riders and skiers, but also for workers getting the mountain ready for next week's US Alpine Championships.
I took the elevator to the third floor of the building called Roberts. I usually take the stairs, but I wasn't sure where I was going and decided finding the right office was adventure enough. I'm sure other elevators have a similar certificate but this was the first time I noticed the wording on the certificate. "Department of Professional and Financial Regulation." I find that combination interesting. I've never heard of such a department before. "Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety." How many tramways do you think there might be in this state? And is someone who's knowledgeable in elevator safety going to also be knowledgeable in tramway safety? Inquiring minds want to know.
I sent "Happy National Pi Day" emails to some UMF friends and I received this photo in return.
Today on my walk to school, I saw this pile of giant wood chips and when I looked up, I saw these odd gouges in the side of the tree. This is the tree that woodpecker was in yesterday. Wow. That's some serious damage.
When I was in Vegas, I held my graduate class "long distance" using Skype software across the Internet. It was pretty fun and a very good thing to do for a class called "Communication Tools for Teaching and Learning." During the Skype chat, one of them said, "Now you know we all love souvenirs." Oh golly gee. Now what?!
After being out of town for a week, I finally got to the Post Office to check my mailbox. I really didn't have time to check it because I needed to be in Dixfield for the graduate course I teach, but I really needed to check my mail. So I went. My box was crammed full of mail. I've learned to go ahead and flip through it there at the post office in case there's a notice to pick up a package or something. Sure enough, I had a notice that I had a package. I really didn't have time to get the package either, but I wasn't expecting anything and I didn't know when I'd get back to the post office, so I got in line. Fortunately, it wasn't a very long wait at all.
It was a package from Kathy and Steve. They're my Texas friends that live in Pennsylvania now. I was so excited! I was ripping into it on the way back to my car and finished opening it as I was driving off to the graduate class. I couldn't believe it. It was the perfect gift!
On Tuesdays, I teach a graduate class in Dixfield, about 30 minutes south of Farmington. We haven't been able to meet for the last few weeks: we had winter break, then there was a snow day, then I was in Las Vegas. I finally had a chance to return and this was the view out the library window.
And this is the back door entrance.
Do you see it? Up in the tree? We often think of the sound of birds as the first indicators of spring. Walking home today I heard a bird. And when I looked up, I actually saw the bird! Do you see it in the tree up there?
It's a red-headed woodpecker! This picture doesn't do it justice. It was spectacular with its bright red head and brilliantly contrasting black and white body and head. It is definitely not the typical first bird of spring for me. But it is definitely easily heard and easily recognizable.
