Best & The Worst

So much to talk about today!!

Devon's Skateboard....My Grandson, Devon, broke his skateboard last weekend. He's such a good kid. 4.7 Grade point average in school, is in the top 10% of his class, and wants to go to college to become a veterinarian....(for now that's the plan. As with all 15-year-olds, that is subject to change). He's never given his parents a sleepless night- that I know of(and I'm sure I would have heard had that been the case). He's kind, generous, and polite.
When I saw the photo of his broken board on FB I messaged him and asked what board was he going to get to replace it. and as usual, he said " I'll just find a used one at the flea-market or maybe one of my friends might have one I can borrow." That child has always had second-hand ones since he started skateboarding- and never complained about it or asked for a new one.  I asked him what was his dream board and he told me about one he wanted but was saving for because it was a bit expensive. I told him his grand-papa used to skateboard when he was his age (and was a proper whiz on the things-in the blood I guess, eh?)so I knew a little about what he was talking about, but asked him to send the link of the one he wanted so I could properly appreciate it.
He did, and while he was telling me the virtues of it and explaining that he might just get the deck and use the old wheels off the old board because the deck by it's self wasn't  too expensive and he would have the money for it in another month or so when warm weather finally came to stay, I looked at the website and saw the deck was about £50...or £35. The board, fully kitted out was $102...or about £70. I was listening to him talk about it as I placed an order for it fully kitted and had it sent to him. I figured since I hadn't sent Birthday gifts since I'd been here-only cards- I could treat him.
 His mom took photos of him opening it when he got it.

That smile was worth every penny.


Mr. Fish....There is a teacher at Devon's school called Mr. Fish. He gave an assignment to his Advanced Placement Lit class to write an anonymous poem. Then they were all passed around and read out loud and everyone had to guess who wrote each one. Apparently, he wrote one too. With the F-word in it. And some sexual content. I guarantee you it was less sexual than most teens these days have heard. If you click on the students comment Link at the bottom of this section you can read the entire article including  the poem and the students comments. It's interesting to say the least- I'd go so far as to call it eye-opening.
The following is By Frances Parrish of the Independent Mail.

The resignation of a popular Easley High School English teacher has prompted an outcry from students, who have taken to social media to call for his return.
Greg Fish "will not be returning to school or the classroom," the School District of Pickens County said in a statement.
Many students stood up for Fish. Since two petitions asking for Fish to be reinstated were launched a couple of days ago, more than 4,000 signatures had been collected as of Monday afternoon.
"It's obvious who the students want," said 17-year-old Easley High School student Brinae Smith. "It's obvious how much he has impacted us."
Fish was not just a teacher, but also a mentor for more than a decade, students said on social media.
"Mr. Fish encourages us and inspires us. It seems that an overall atmosphere of apathy exists among the halls of our school. Mr. Fish is one of a handful of teachers who makes our school days worthwhile. He is one who expects us to think for ourselves and not just accept what we are told," said Abigail Caldwell, a student in Fish's AP literature class in a Facebook message. "Losing a true educator and student advocate like Mr. Fish is detrimental to the students and to the school. The supportive response from current and former students is a testament to the passion we all share for this issue."
According to a petition description, Fish had led an off-campus poetry roundtable a couple of weeks ago for his AP literature class. The poem the district received complaints about had sexual content and included the use of the F-word.
Monday morning, the district said in an initial statement, "Last week, administration received complaints about content that was shared by an Easley High School teacher. The district administration followed its standard procedure by placing the teacher on leave in order to investigate the allegations. The teacher will not be returning to the school or classroom. As always, the district's primary focus is the education and welfare of its students. The administration will do everything necessary to make sure students have the academic support that is needed for the remainder of the school year."
School district spokesman John Eby sent another statement Monday evening.
"On February 26, the school district accepted the resignation of Mr. Greg Fish, an English teacher at Easley High School. Mr. Fish will assist the teachers who will instruct his classes for the remainder of the year, although he will not be returning to the school or classroom," Eby said in the statement.
The students have created Facebook pages titled Fight for Fish, and as part of their stand they organized a sit-in protest for Tuesday morning in Fish's classroom.
In preparation for the sit-in, Eby's statement read, "On Tuesday, students will be expected to attend their classes and comport themselves in a respectful manner. We are aware that some students may be planning a 'sit-in' in response to this issue. The administration will handle any disruptions caused by a sit-in through normal procedures and policies."
School board Chairwoman Judy Edwards declined to comment on the matter.
Many students said on social media and in interviews with the Independent Mail that Fish was a tough teacher. He had high expectations for his students, but always encouraged them to do their best and to think critically. Smith remembers one class period when she didn't know what to say in response to a journal prompt. So Fish waited until she found her voice.
"The belief he had in me was amazing," Smith said. "He pushed me. He would say, 'I want to hear what you have to say, Smith.' "
Even students who weren't in Fish's class said they were impacted by him. Kaleb Dicks, a junior at Easley High School, was struggling to make an A in his English class. So one day, he walked into Fish's room and asked him for help.
"He set up meetings with me to make sure I got it," Dicks said. "He's one of the better teachers out there."

And the comments from the kids are jaw-dropping. THIS is the kind of teachers we need more of. The ones who inspire our children and encourage them to think for themselves and outside the box. To think of the consequences of their decisions- for them and for the rest of the world. Don't get rid of these teachers- hire MORE of them!!! Now is not the time to be sheltering our best and brightest when they are about to go out into the big bad world on their own. If hearing the F-word is going to break them- we are doomed.

I sincerely hope this hero gets his job back. Our Children need him....WE need him.



My March Blitz.......
This first week has been  a major success. I started Tuesday, March 1st  and I weighed and measured myself. I'm weighing and measuring every Saturday of March and the Final weigh in will be April 1st.
The Rules:
No added sugar to anything
No bread
Drink 8 Glasses water(at least) daily
Do at least 1 activity  daily.(a walk/yoga/7MWO/ZombiesRun)
Stay within  caloric perimeters.

The week started off great- except for the Krispy Kreme donuts my co worker bought in on Day 1 and ate several of....at the desk next to me. They are my Kriptonite....the smell alone is enough to make me salivate. Literally- not figuratively.  But ,other than that, I got thru it. Day 2 wasn't bad either. Day 3- I was going into withdrawal bad. I had a headache- I was weepy and cranky all at once. But I got thru it. Day 4 was easy. No headaches, no jittery withdrawals, no cravings, I ate my protein and veg and was fine.
This Morning, I got up and weighed and measured. I know most is probablly getting rid of fluids but I dont care- a Loss is a WIN and this week I'm a Loser/Winner!!

I lost a grand total of:
1 inch on my neck
4 inches on my waist
4 inches on my hips
1 inch on my thighs
1/2 inch on my calves
And 11.4 lbs!!!!!!!

The rest of the month won't be nearly as productive in losses, but even a small loss puts me that much closer to my goals.

New Reads.......Have downloaded the Kindle version of Except For His Wings by one of my favorite authors, Michael Dodd. I'm looking forward to reading it this weekend whilst doing my mountain of laundry. There is a HUGE possibility said Mountain o'Laundry will be done tomorrow. ....or a bit at a time next week.
I have my priorities.

So that was my week.  How was yours?