Yesterday I was with one of my very favorite gardens - my friends from the Encore group. Once upon a time we taught together in a middle school.
Most of the teachers had a nice, neat little group to attend during teacher meetings. They were seperated into either 7th grade, 8th grade, and etc. Or they might be seperated into English, Math, and Science.
We were the group who didn't fit - the art, music, counseling, gifted, at risk, etc. There was usually only one of us so we couldn't be grouped into Art, etc. And we taught all grades, so we couldn't fit into one grade. So we were pushed into something that was called the "Encore" group. Why? Who knows. Maybe its that the encore is what comes after the 'real' performance. The teaching that went on after the 'real' teaching was done?
That was the attitude of the administration back then.
We've been through a lot together - about half of us are no longer teaching. But we get together every summer for field trips, yesterday at the Botanical Center and the Asian Garden and Bridge. We still call ourselves Encore - but we are certain it means the best part of the performance.
I am here to tell you that all is not as it seems, with lovely gardens just laying in wait.
There were beautiful benches painted a bright blue, set against nearly black petunias and lots of greenery surroung them. What a blissful spot to wait for all of our group to arrive.
I had a soft pink shirt on and was feeling pretty pleased with the situation - when - smack! The petunias attacked.
Just FYI - black petunias touching pink cotton create large purple spots and - who would have known it! - leaves can also create green spots. I now have a semi-tie-dyed pink cotton shirt. I say semi because the spots are only on my one arm and up the back.
So - I guess I will have to steal back onto the grounds some night and roll around in the greenery to make the whole shirt look intentional.
Just a word to the wise - Watch yourself while in the outdoors!
Most of the teachers had a nice, neat little group to attend during teacher meetings. They were seperated into either 7th grade, 8th grade, and etc. Or they might be seperated into English, Math, and Science.
We were the group who didn't fit - the art, music, counseling, gifted, at risk, etc. There was usually only one of us so we couldn't be grouped into Art, etc. And we taught all grades, so we couldn't fit into one grade. So we were pushed into something that was called the "Encore" group. Why? Who knows. Maybe its that the encore is what comes after the 'real' performance. The teaching that went on after the 'real' teaching was done?
That was the attitude of the administration back then.
We've been through a lot together - about half of us are no longer teaching. But we get together every summer for field trips, yesterday at the Botanical Center and the Asian Garden and Bridge. We still call ourselves Encore - but we are certain it means the best part of the performance.
I am here to tell you that all is not as it seems, with lovely gardens just laying in wait.
There were beautiful benches painted a bright blue, set against nearly black petunias and lots of greenery surroung them. What a blissful spot to wait for all of our group to arrive.
I had a soft pink shirt on and was feeling pretty pleased with the situation - when - smack! The petunias attacked.
Just FYI - black petunias touching pink cotton create large purple spots and - who would have known it! - leaves can also create green spots. I now have a semi-tie-dyed pink cotton shirt. I say semi because the spots are only on my one arm and up the back.
So - I guess I will have to steal back onto the grounds some night and roll around in the greenery to make the whole shirt look intentional.
Just a word to the wise - Watch yourself while in the outdoors!