It's Hail.

It's HAIL out there.  Or was.  It looks like actual snow now.   I left to get M from school, and it was hailing.   With slushy crap on the streets.  Little bits of ice coming down, ice on my windows.   The driver-side door is frozen shut. 

Partially to M's school, she calls me (she can't use her cell phone during school hours, of course).  "Can I go to (friends) house?"   I had her confirm with the friends mom first, and then called back to remind her to bring home her medical form for the New York trip.   She feels she has a week still, but it requires the pediatrician to sign it, meaning by this Friday, so that M can have her inhaler with her. 

A woman at the bank works at one of the local middle schools.   I overheard her saying that the first lunch shift had to be served at 10:10 a.m.   I suppose that the schools can count it as a full day if the students eat lunch.   Of course, they start their day so doggone early.   I get back outside.   There are icicles on the vehicle closest to the door.   Then I see iciciles on my vehicle.

I call Boss to see if he wants me to pick up some lunch for him, too.  He responds with a no, thanks, as he has to go by the store, anyway, to pick up a card.  I pause.  Just "a" card?  His wife and two girls are really into birthdays.  I KNOW they'd also be really into Valentine's Day.  Roses or flowers would freeze traveling today.... "Maybe you can pick up some chocolates or something, too."  "Or something." 

I come back in to hear several saying that our office is going to be let out early.   Crazy getting word out once it's official.  (At this point, we're closed, just M is over her friends playing.)

I quiz Boss -- the girls got gifts already, Crocs they've been begging for, and he has a thoughtful, small but thoughtful, gift for his wife.   Okay, good:)   

I don't want hail.  I want SNOW!  Of course, I could still get it.  I hope:)

Tags: snow day, hail

Snow Day - that isn't, quite, yet.

"School's on time this morning, honey."   M didn't complain.  She doesn't feel or sound too sick anymore, either, just a bit stuffed up.  It's pretty outside.   I wake her up asking her what she wants to drink.   Mumble mumble equates to raspberry hot chocolate.  

"Mooommmmmmmm, did you buy me the green dress???!!!!!"   Wow, she found it already?!   Friend of mine and I had decided that M rarely if ever uses her closet, or, well, goes into it, so that'd be the perfect spot to "hide" her newly bought (used) solo dress.   "THANK YOU!!!"   Heck, I wanted it to be sometime between V. Day and St. Pat's Day, but, that's okay....... I'd put away much of her clothes this past weekend, instead of them folded on her computer desk, and the closet "door" (sheet curtain) was open, the green dress and gold trim glowing in the morning light from where M's bed is.   Oops.  :)

Daisy tried to take off and run and play in the snow falling down and on the ground:)   She enjoys this.   It just wasn't working so well our first morning walk, being my snowboots were in the truck with my "survival kit" of sorts.   Weirdly, if I'd closed my eyes, the falling snow sounded like rain.

M was taking off her Breathe-Right strip, getting dressed, playing with Daisy some.  She insisted on not taking her snow boots I'd brought inside for her, wearing her warm clogs with fake fur lining.   We'd worked a fair bit on her immigration studies last night, "Mom, you ARE helping me with this."   This morning, she felt good about where she was with it. 

Last night, not so much.  This is the heavy get into it part, and it's seeming overwhelming to her right now.   I'd read some of the books with her, rambling off facts I found intriguing, and she said she had hours of notes written down, panicked she couldn't find them.   She starts writing on whatever blank page her notebook opens to, phew.   They were there.   And, this a.m., I found WHERE in the truck I"d left the folder of Tenement Museum pages I'd printed out for her.   The teachers saying that no other homework this week even really matters, especially if today and tomorrow are/were snow days.   Just get this stuff prepared..... NYC is next week.  They have schedules nowand everything:)  

M said last night that she had to call someone.  "Okay, sure.   Um, whom?"  "Someone in New York."   "Someone?"  She has to call the Irish Art Center??? in NYC, for the Irish Immigration group of three are going to try to sit in on a bagpipe class.   I tried not to laugh.  "Honey, does your teacher realize that bagpipes are usually associated with Scotland, not Ireland?"   M is on top of this.  "There are two types, Mom, one with a really funny sounding name, and the other regular ones."  "You mean, uillean bagpipers?"  "Yes, those are the Irish ones."  (For the record, highland bagpipers are the bagpipers more specific to Scotland.  And kilts are really more Scottish, also.)  None of them wanted to make this call, so M traded a paragraph on how the Irish immigrants utilized natural resources (she thinks, in NYC, not in Ireland), to make this call.   "A" offered his cell phone but complained a lot about the minutes left, how it's prepaid and he knows she'll talk too long, that M said, fine, I'll use my own.  lol.   (Note to A, you're not impressing M here, if you still like her.)  Cr had been interested in seeing Irish step dancing (I'll let his mother know of the Big Show M is in coming up in March).   A pennywhistle class is held at a time they can't visit, bodhran's not mentioned.  Okay, uillean bagpiper class sounds intriguing, and, they are planning this themselves.   

This a.m., M doesn't wear her coat while we talk about why this part of the sidewalk is still just wet, even if it's been snowing off and on since yesterday, and this part has snow on it.   (Likely different ground temperatures -- not much stuck yesterday, and today it's a very wet snow in parts.)  She is smiling, eating fresh puffy snow from outside her window.   I don't even have to do much more than start the window wipers.  Dropping M off at school, she asks me if I have a hat with me.  Child, no hat, today?   I ask her about her new black hat.   In her barn locker, it's snug for under her riding helmet.  Um, okay.  "It's covered with hay right now."  lol   She nixes the idea of being seen with the purple hat I have in the "survival kit."  Eh, it's in the 30's I think.   I wasn't even wearingahat.   I just would prefer she be PREPARED.   Plus, what if they go outside to play?  "I WON"T be going outside."  

Funny how many adults were talking yesterday and Sunday in hopes of there being a full shutdown TODAY.   Methinks we've been given 1 more day to prepare:)   I'm feeling less sick now, yet not at all unhappy to think of M and I staying home, enjoying a snow day!   Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.........  (just, please, none of this ice or freezing rain crap, 'kay?  I know it's global warming and all, but can we please still be above (north of) the band where it's iff and 32F-ish?)

Even if I'd like the children in all the classrooms to still enjoy a St. Valentine's Day party tomorrow.   I know my one teacher friend was going to tell her 1st graders yesterday that they'd have their party on Thursday instead if need be.   They'd made boxes and everything, for art projects.  M used to do that in her primary class, and we still have the one BIG box we made for the entire class one year.  I store some of her V. Day things in there.

Ah, early release.   2.5 hours early release.   Dad calls, asks me if I'll be by.   I don't know..... depends upon how the roads are, which he's comfortable with.  I ask him if he's tried on his sweatpants.   Knowing others can hear me, I didn't really want to ask if he'd put ON his pants.  "Oh, I'm wearing them now, they fit great.   They're really warm."  YES! 

Then later, the e-mail, M's school will be 2.75 hours early release.   I've already shifted tomorrow's meetings.  I'm hopeful for a great afternoon, and, well, we'll see about tomorrow!   No rehearsal last night, no class tonight, heat's been working perfectly since the temperatures got back into "normal" winter temperatures.   Can you tell I'm ready for this?  lol

(p.s. -- no word in today's The Washington Post that I could find re: Senior's Boyfriend's trial.   It wasn't murder or anything where anyone was hurt, btw, not that bad, thankfully.  Anyway, it may still be in the more local weekly newspaper tomorrow, but at least, for today, maybe she can find some peace in school, before it lets out.)

 

Update:   Wednesday, no school, meant Daisy got her St. Valentine's Day cookie from M "in bed."  :)   Also, added a photo of M in her solo dress (from the debut performance over St. Patrick's Day weekend, could have the weekend before in B'more's parade, but, C didn't take M to that).  Not clear shots, but, it's what I have right now.

Tags: snow day

2 days before Valentine's

"Two days before Valentine's Day, this could either be a really good Valentine's Day or a really sucky one."   I didn't quite connect it until she said those words, until I was driving home, recollecting our conversation and her trying not to cry.  

I've known this girl, a senior in high school, for years now.   Not super well, I know her parents better, seeing them more regularly, but all having danced in my main ceili / set dance group, and Senior having danced at M's Irish step dance school until they closed the local studio after last year.   Small talk at yesterday's fundraiser (for a local St. Patrick's Day parade) had Senior saying she was just too busy with other things this year to do much dancing.  A few hours later, bits and pieces later, she told me why she was worrying so, simply by my asking if she had much homework due today, and being there, not judging her.   

It doesn't help that one of her good friends had her stepfather die this past weekend, having to be taken off of dialysis, funeral later this week.   It doesn't help that Senior's boyfriend's mother "hates" her.   Senior's parents aren't fond of "eh, so'so" Boyfriend, but know enough to not forbid her, that it'd be worse that way, not that they find him a horrible kid, but, and Mom just speaks briefly about it and we chat of other things more.   Boyfriend is abused by his parents, has sometimes sought shelter at Senior's home (and Senior's dad does the legal thing of calling and informing the parent's of Boyfriend).  

Senior has a good heart, right now, a heavy heart, or, well, hopefully right now a thankful one.   I just tried calling her and got the answering machine.  Boyfriend went to court this morning.  It's a big deal event, all over the local newspapers when "it" happened.  "Oh, that's him?"   She didn't really say until I asked a bit more just what this was for, telling me how she'd hide her head and deny when all the others at their high school would ask if, gasp, SHE was the girlfriend of HIM.  Something Senior says was an accident, that the security guards and police both believe Boyfriend in that it was an accident, that he's been honest and cooperative and there's a teacher Boyfriend's worked with for 4 years was going, too, maybe as a character witness.  

Senior believes boyfriend's a good kid in a screwed up homelife (which truly does sound screwed up, even parents of Senior say so.)   Senior was the one called at 3:30 a.m. last weekend by her girlfriend when girlfriend's stepfather died.   Senior's grades this year have been a struggle.   She laughs that her boyfriend has a better chance of graduating, with homeschooling tutors three times a week, then she does.   Twice I hug her.  I tell her that perhaps Boyfriend's mom feels threatened by what Senior represents, the growing lack of control that mom has over her son.   And, twice, I try to tell her, that after she gets through this week, she has to take care of herself.   That even caretakers have to take time to take care of themselves, too.   Not a lesson I needed to hear at 17 years old, learning later in life.  

Two days before Valentine's Day.   Oh, I have two cards for my beautiful Valentine, one from the pets, one from me, and a couple small gifts for her.   13 years ago on Valentine's Day, I had my sonogram.  C didn't go with me, so after, I stopped by a store and picked up two pink roses and dropped by his work, the pink to indicate that we're having a girl.   (He wasn't so excited, in general, but oh well.)   Two days from now, we'll celebrate love, and that we are alive, and sick with colds, but generally healthy, and free people.   St. Valentine's Day the wedding anniversary for cousin like a sister, Stephanie........

Years ago that seem too recently ago, two days before St. Valentine's Day, my late cousin like a very close brother Dougie's wife went to a dance, a singles dance purposefully without him, to celebrate the "lovers holiday."  When she got back to their home, it was a bad night for both of them.   For right now, we'll just write that he died.  The entire thing was all over the local newspapers, front page, at least twice.  Stephanie even went on the television news there, the interview shown at every hour the news was shown.  If people could only know and understand the entire story, but.  (Part of it is that he'd been a victim of domestic abuse, repeatedly, and not uncommon for him to show up at work with bruises and other signs, I was told at Dougie's memorial service by one of his guy coworkers, but, he's a guy, and not exactly perfect himself.)

So, yeah, two days before St. Valentine's Day.   It's a bit sucky of an anniversary, really.   Other than the great thing of late President Abraham Lincoln's birthday:) (I think.)   I really liked him.

I hope that things went better for Senior and Boyfriend today, anyway.   I'm sure it'll be on the news tonight, or at least in tomorrow's paper.   I hope if it's not a snow day tomorrow, that Senior feels strong enough in school to be okay, focus on HER work.

Okay, I'm tired and I'm sick still, my neighbor says it sounds like bronchitis but it's not in my lungs, so Im' not clear how coordinated this all sounds.  I'm meaning to also say, hey, if Dougie can't do it, then I have to stay living life in some part for him, for my daughter, for myself, but feel blessed that I CAN do this.   I am not in jail or juvenile or whatever it's called (nor have I been in jeopardly of being in such a place), I have a home, and food, and a job, a great kid whom I actually like, too, not just love, good things, good blessings.   Even if I can't help but remember Dougie, and mourn him a bit on this day.   And, I really do with Senior and her Boyfriend, both, well.

Update -- Sigh.  Meals on Wheels called.   The delivery went fine, she hastened to relay.   Just that Dad isn't quite himself today, and showed up not fully dressed (was covered but in underwear and a t-shirt, not the pants I'd bought him, any pair of pants I'd gotten him).   That maybe this isn't unusual, the woman wasn't invited in which is fine (ack, yes), and only sees him once a week.  WELL, I had wanted someone else to be able to touch base with him for me, as I can't all the time, and for when my routine visits can't/don't happen, such as this past weekend for me being sick.  I didn't hear from him, though, so.......   I guess we're stopping by tonight (already knew I'd nix my rehearsal), not go in per se to spread germs, or at least re-try calling.  I got to ask her a question I had about snow closings and deliveries (announced in the media in another town oh well), and payment.

I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed:)   (Reminding myself here.)  Ah, and M is able to enjoy warmer weather and a riding lesson today and Daisy and will get to enjoy her again, too.   I got to read some of "the" paper today, some of "Tis" last night.  Life is good, I know.  Even if I'm not feeling well and I sure wish some of it was easier at times.  Not like I have the flu, right?!  Right!

 

Do we know each other?!

I like the community here online.  Well, mostly.  Pharmlo  J-land Chat  hosted a nice chat for aol journal writers Sunday, which I could only join for part of, and it was a lot of fun.   I've come to chat via e-mail with a few people I have "met" solely through our journals.  I like reading journals.   I feel as if I have made online friendships, which I do cherish.   How open, how real, however, IS everyone, can everyone be, publically?

I've had to chose to NOT write about particular things, or relationships with particular people, sometimes people close to my heart even, and that kills me sometimes if a lot is goign on in my heart and head right then.  Oh, I include minutae, but I try to avoid identifable mentions (of my daughter or me) in case of stalkers.   These are choices I've made in chosing to keep this journal public.   I've sometimes struggled with the concept of how much I relay, or how detailed.   We're not living in a George Orwellian1984 situation, or, are we?   I'm not going to write anything untruthful.  Yet, isn't this MY journal?   I had this idea, originally, of this aol journal being a bit like a diary, writing for my own purposes, getting out my thoughts, hopes dreams, hey wasn't this a cool day, or a sucky one, outlet.   I never handwrite anymore, maybe this way, typing online, I'd get my thoughts out.  It's still evolving, less than 1 year old, yet it's not exactly a journal in a diary sense.   I want to be real, to be ME, even if I occasionally have to think, wait, I, ah, should censor this (or not write about......), or add this note for those who are not familiar....  Or not say a slightly racy comment I may mention to a close girlfriend or in a private diary, but would never speak outloud publically.   I don't really like that.   Just as I see only glimpses and some of what makes another blogger that person, in his or her journals, really, how open, utterly open, can we afford to be?  (Yeah, okay, so sometimes, I AM jaded.)

I was reminded of my ponderings on this subject by Jeff Zimmerman's post, And I Am Not Lying, For Real: One Long Wednesday   Thankfully, however, I have no illusions of finding a job via MY blog.   Heck, I'd haveto have the patience to actually go back and edit my entries, requiring reading them.  lol   Jeff, however, is a great writer, laidoff by aol so many of you may recognize his writing.   Would you recognize him, or me, if you happened to be on the same Metro (subway) line, jostled about, trying to keep a hold of the same pole even?   Perhaps, visually, perhaps not.  Still, do we really KNOW know each other?   I'd say, some more than others.  Even if, heck, some of you out there I care about, really, perhaps even prayed for you or your situation, praises or for help, or laughed with you, cheering you on.  

A local radio station had people calling in to announce to their broadcast world what details would not be relayed to their date on a first date, but held off until later.   This isn't exactly the same thing as what does one not post in a journal/blog.   But, it can be similar.  I'd have no problem relaying my birthdate to a date, for example, and who I work for, while I won't on here.   Would I hold off on mentioning my ADD?   Eh, I'm not worried.   The guy will either have to accept it or not, ultimately.  I know I have this, so, shrug, even if I'm much more likely to say I'm a single mother of a wonderful daughter as a first line of introduction.  I'd likely hold off mentioning that I have a "blog," or even this screen name.   Of course, there may be a couple things I'm not ready to just go divulge on here or to a new guy at all, lol. 

Then again, we wouldn't all "know" each other, if we all kept all of our journals private! 

Adding later:   If you can decipher it:) Fred writes about whether or not to let his IRL friend know of his journal / journalling online life:   Fear? No. Not exactly.

Tags: J-Land Chat, blogplugs

I'm feeling almost human again now:) Ahhh, that warm shower felt great.

I woke up at 4:53 p.m. Actually, that's not quite right. I got into the kitchen at 4:53 p.m.. I'd been awake a short while, obviously stirring just enough for the cats to notice. They'd come around me for a combination of snuggling / scratch my neck time, and seeing when I'd get UP and feed them dinner. Daisy had her head on my chest, her body turned so her belly was up. This was on purpose -- she's always love
This was on purpose -- she's always loved belly rubs. I think back to the day M and I picked up Daisy from the shelter. The young vet checked her out one last time, smiling, and holding Daisy belly up. He was rubbing her belly, telling us that she really likes that. That Daisy was a favorite of his, and I could tell. So, yes, she still gets belly rubs. She's still in a home where she is loved.



Daisy even got three walks earlier today, one a long one in the wow, is this a bit of warmth sun, another after my shower which felt colder again, and will get at least one more. She likes Saturdays, too:)



I could have still joined my friends in time to travel the hour to the ceili, after their dinner. I'll let the guy know who coordinated this, though, that I'd really like to another time, I was just sick this time. We'll be having a bit afternoon tomorrow -- fundraiser time -- enjoying great music, and other talented performers we're honored to also be on the set list with. Hmmm, still need to iron that skirt. Iron is a 4-letter word, yanno... :)



Chores this a.m., and the walks, and made myself eat a bit before noon. Amy's frozen food pesto tortellini. Yum:) Read "the" paper. In the real estate section, they provided a website link to a neutral source, for more information on reverse mortgages. Great! I'll go there later. http://www.reversemortgage.org Did NOT get the paperwork done, but ha, glad I didn't bother with one thing -- I got the notice in todays mail I was waiting for and was feeling forced to ask about. I apparently
. I apparently needed the sleep.

Besides, now I get a chance to IM with a good friend, who GOT THE JOB YEAH!!! Albeit, I have a $7. coupon good through today.... so I may still get out yet.
Tis the season for Irish stuff, but that's another entry.....
cough cough ahh, hi Tinker:)

Daisy "protects" me. Her head is on M's pillow, her body on the blanket I put over the clean clothes, to protect them from her until I fold them in a few. She is tired again, but raises her head occasionally, did someone walk by? Just a bit of a muffled bark, thankfully. Beagles can HOWL.
Pretty Boy/Captain is getting a drink from the cat water bowl in the bathroom sink. I keep it there, cuz if I put it on the floor, Daisy drinks it all up. Daisy has a full bowl of water on the kitchen floor (which the cats also "sneak" and use), but Daisy prefers the cats bowl. lol
I'm altering my plans for the day. I can't dare get my father sick. He's refused the flu shot this year, "I don't go anywhere." I tried to tell him that I could bring in germs, or they could be on the grocery bags, or now, via the Wheels on Meals, um, Meals on Wheels, lol, or on the mail. Cough. I'm not horribly sick, aka "justmary" and her flu. Thankfully. But, enough. We were to have him visit me today (I'd pick him up). He doesn't get many outings. He wants to watch a video on reverse mort
reverse mortgages. I'm less thrilled about that, and (mty brother) Doug does NOT want Dad to take out a reverse mortgage. They'd sent a VHS. Megan had to explain to me that our VHS play is still there, but she's pretty certain it doesn't also work, anymore. I should try it. So, Dad has them call me, oy, on my cell as it's the only # of mine he remembers. I ask them to send a DVD of it instead. I'd hoped I could get him to take a shower, or bath, here. He says his shower works fine.
I realize now that he thought it had not, saying he's bathed in the sink. Uh-huh..... sometimes, yes, I can tell. But. He has dementia, see, he is sometimes very lucid again (from my last entry on him), but bathing isn't as regular or seemingly as important. A plumber will come replace his leaking toilet, after Dad finds $500. I sure hope the guy at least turned off the leaking part.
I'm not thrilled with feeling not so great, but I like the idea of having more time. I could still drop off groceries to Dad, or tomorrow, quickly. It's not critical, though. M and I went by there Wednesday with a lot of things; Meals on Wheels had not come by. Perhaps they don't when schools are closed, so I need to check, just so that I know.
It's barely 20F outside now, or wait, AOL is saying 21F. And, not windy. Captain is now on top of a door, looking regal. Tinkerbell is looking sleepy in "her" basket. It was a basket for babydoll Bitty Baby, some years ago when M played with Bitty Baby. The basket faces a window. She looks at me, and then outside. I'm not sure if she can see me this far away, or my shadow. Stinker Tinker likes to sit on top of the computer monitor when one of us is online. I imagine it gets warm.
Billy Boy slept on TOP of the blanket with me last night. Some nights this past week, it's been a one dog/two cat night. I explained to M how the band, Three-dog Night got its name. It may be only in the 20'sF outside, but, that helps take the edge off, that extra bitter cold chill is gone. And the wind is down. Blessedly warmer:) Blessedly, we have heat inside, even if it struggled sometimes in the most bitter weather; I had worried.
My nose and legs would get quite cold in a short time. My uncovered fingers from my fingerless gloves would actually hurt as if getting frostbitten just from my truck to our front door. M didn't fight me about wearing her coat, albeit she sometimes didn't wear quite as many layers as me, her mother, wanted her to. Now, it's "just" winter. A bit of snow left in spots. The cold dry air hurting my throat some when I'd breathe, walking Daisy, my nose now stuffed up.
Doubtful it's strept, though. I KNOW how streptococcus feels in MY body, being quite susceptible to it. My throat isn't killing me, nor did it hurt a TON right away. I can drink orange juice, one of my indicators. Even if those lime-flavored chips scratched. I think it's an unpleasant cold. M had this on Wednesday, and on Thursday a.m. She says she felt better Friday a.m. Hopefully, she is feeling okay now:) M's with her father for the weekend.
M was at her dad's on Wednesday day, too, the snow day! with, per my bosses guess, about 4 inches of snow. Except he went on in to work, and M didn't get to play outside in it. Being she ended up not feeling 100%, I'm glad she didn't go getting herself too cold.
Sigh, so my head hurt ssome, I'd like to go back to sleep. I have tons I can do, though, even without visiting my father (I will call him, whether or not he remembers, and sometimes he really does and he waits for me). paperwork, mine and his (I promised I'd pay his Meals on Wheels and The Washington Post, but it's hard copy bills needing me to write a check, find an envelope, find a stamp, get it in the mailbox.... which is why I typically pay MY bills online:)
I need to call the orthodontist office back -- M's mouth really cannot go waiting to get restarted, per her visit 8 days ago. But, they'll be closed today.

I need to call the woman about the Irish step dance solo dress. I just don't seem to remember "home" things while at work, even if it'd take just a minute or two. We've e-mailed. She held the dress for me to buy for M:) How nice. She even knocked off $50. She re-sent me her number. (I lose numbers, too.) I have to call her, maybe meet
M will be so thrilled:) M can use this solo dress in at least one show coming up. It'll be a surprise for now, though. etc.

I could go to a ceili tonight. Friends are, dinner first. It'd be fun, but I need my energy for Sunday. Sunday afternoon is a big fundraiser for a local St. Patrick's Day parade. My group is one of the ones dancing. Oh, yeah, I need to iron that skirt...... I did find it. I did wash my top:)
I could even catch up on my newspaper reading...... housework. Return really needed shoes that end up not fitting me. Or, nap with Daisy girl, well, not there. So, if you find yourself with a full Saturday to yourself to fill, what do YOU do?! :)
I may just have to rest a little bit longer....... maybe M is, too, then again, I think Si tends to be eager to play with M, and runs in M's room and wakes her up.

Irish Immigration Studies - NYC Bound!

Ah, yes, my daughter's combined 7th-8th grade class is preparing for their trip to New York City, to enhance their study of immigration.   Details are being relayed and other details being worked out more rapidly now.  I even know what color walls and bunks M will have, and what type of place, just not yet the name of the place where they will sleep.  I've known for a bit that they are being encouraged to have their cell phones with them, or borrow one to have.   Yes, great idea, really, having been there just a few times and knowing the crowds make it easy to get apart from others (trying to remember, apart briefly, do not think lost here i.e., start to worry).   I'm also glad, as it'll insure that M and I can stay in touch some while she's there.  

They'll take the train in from Washington, D.C., leaving school way super early to the point where it's been suggested that they stay overnight the night before.  I know most of the chaperones (it'll be about a 1-3/1-4 ratio of adults/youth), NONE are parents of any of the students going, which I think is a good idea at this point.  Officially, us parents have been told simply the dates and times so far.   They'll let us know more.  Much has been planned by teachers Mr. L, and Mo, and much is being planned out now by the students.   I can trust them. 

Last week is when the initial presentations on immigration were given.  The class had been broken into groups.  M's group, with her maybe crush J, and another long-term friend, studied the immigration of Soviet Jews.   Even if I know something about the history behind the story and movie, Anastasia, overall, I feel rather inadequate never having learned much about the history of that particular, entire continent.   M showed me their poster the other night, much work done at school, with their team, nicely.  

After hearing the detailed information from others, every student wrote down their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of specific immigration areas to focus on while in New York City.   M had first choice of Irish, second of Italian, and I think 3rd choice, Soviet Jews.   Other groups include Africans, Germans, and, hmmm, a 6th group:)   M ended up getting "Irish," along with boy A, who she most dislikes in the class but will just have to get over that (he may even like her), and another boy,Cr, whose sister M used to be good friends with.  "A" knew almost nothing about anything Irish, other than that whatever stuff M does with her feet, kicking and tapping and such, in the classroom and kitchen is some sort of Irish dancing.   He had Irish for his initial grouping, focusing on the potato blight of 1845-1847, and apparently found it interesting, so, good for him. 

Everyone has to have a fair amount of new research and writing done by next week, so they visited the library twice last week (not that M remembered the first time soas to bring her library card, or return another book, but she DID bring her card the second visit).  

They are also planning out specific places and such to visit in New York City itself.   This part is fun for her.  The group as a whole will visit places like Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, The Tenement Museum, and, well, it's New York City, they have to, and will see a show on Broadway.  Hairspray is a Broadway show M's been wanting to see since she first heard of it.   That may be a good show for this age.

BTW, if you wish to look up someone who may have come through Ellis Island, a great site is http://www.ellisisland.org  My late grandfather Daniel Joseph (last name) and some of his immediate family are listed, I could squint really super hard and read his signature (or just order the manifest I think it's called), information on his ship, and where he'd come from.   My grandfather emigrated from County Meath, Ireland, through Venezuela, then on to New York City.   (I found this site from another dance parents work for an upcoming show by our children!   Registering on the site is free.  Not that I remember what password I used.)   To think of being transported on a large ocean liner over such length of time.  I get out the list of names of his parents and siblings, so many.  I'd met a few of them, my favorite was his sister, Brigid.   She gave me a hand-sewn blue cat once, to keep my pajamas in (usually holding other treasures).   She lived in England her latter years, never immigrating here.  I always liked the name Brigid.

Each group in M's class is also supposed to fulfill various elements.  I don'tknow what they all are, but M isin charge of religion, andart, and the group is to interview someone.  They'll also visit Five Points, and an Irish restaurant (probably also a pub in the evenings).  I'd suggested perhaps Connolly's, as Black47 play at one of their spots, forgetting at the time the name of the one, Tir Na Nog, where I'd gone with a girlfriend of mine who lives in New York City.   Ah, they have one in mind:)

The easy way to "fulfill" the religion requirement is to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral.   Harder is learning WHY that particular site is so important to the Irish immigrants who were in New York City.   (I found some nice text on this, http://tenement.org/Encyclopedia/irish_catholic.htm )We've been there previously, beautiful place, hauntingly beautiful bells.  M also wants to honor Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.   She's NOT been too happy to miss eating pancakes and sausages at our church on Shrove Tuesday this year, nor the talent show that she sometimes dances in.  She'll get over it:)   Besides, it's about time she attended an Ash Wednesday mass, if she does.  Although we're not Catholic, our ethnic and political heritage via Ireland is Catholic (like my grandfather and many other relatives).   Our Protestant church also has the ashes, et al, my favorite service of the year, other than Christmas eve midnight, actually.   M brought up the ashes subject to me recently, too, what does it mean.

M's thinking for art, that they may just have to visit Fay's shoes, makers of Irish dance shoes.   http://www.fays-shoes.com which has their main US site in New York City.   "I could try some on, too, Mom, for size, and maybe get some."  LOL.   Actually, M NEEDS new hard shoes, but she's not willing to admit that yet.  Her feet have grown enough for the next size up, and her Irish step dance teacher wants the tips replaced.  There's a significant cost difference, BUT, I may seriously send M with instructions to contact me for credit card information should she visit there.    I'm thinking that she could check out a local New York City Irish dance school (or performance group, if any), music store, if any, that'd sell bodhrans and penny whistles, etc., or somethingto do with their writing and storytelling.   I have a few books at home of Irish fairy tales.   She'll figure this out:)

Ah, but who to interview?   This is the really exciting part!   Many liking Irish (or Celtic) music, may enjoy bands like U-2, an awesome band, Sinead O'Connor, etc.  Or, perhaps they like the mainstream traditional stuff such as The Chieftians, or The Irish Rovers.   Great stuff, nothing to complain about.   I also like some of the not as commercially known, but excellent Irish bands out there, such as Solas; M's favorite, Teada (http://www.teada.com); 7 Nations, and Black 47 (and a more local one, Bogwanderers).  All of whom I've had the great pleasure to see live at least once.  

Larry Kirwan is the lead singer and writer for the band, Black47 named after the potato famine of 1845-1847 (http://www.black47.com).  He's also an Irish immigrant, and has a strong background in Irish history, and politics, even writing a play, Mister Parnell (a historical figure in Ireland), and is a fantastic writer, IMHO.   Okay, I got suckered into that band from a festival when M was a toddler, wow, great music.  I started getting their online newsletter and discovered more than I knew I hadn't known.......... visiting them also in some hole in the wall in Baltimore, and even traveled to Gaelic Park, Chicago once to see them and others (and a friend).    Black47 is based out of New York City.   M is surprised to know that I know their e-mail address.   "Do you know-know them?"  Um, they don't know or remember me, honey.   "But, you know their e-mail," eyes and mouth wide open.   Um, yeah.  I just got re-added to their e-mail newsletter, though.   "Do you think you could write them, does he [Larry] still wear green suede shoes, could we interview HIM??"

Gulp.  Ah, sure.   Gulp.  They are nice guys.  He likes to share info on Irish history and story.  (I was not believing the balls I had to write them/him and even ask this.)   I was correct.   Larry himself e-mailed me back, apologizing for how busy he is right now (NOT a surprise, I'd even said I'm sure that he is), and that he's likely to not even be in New York City when the class visits.   (True or not, it's a nice out that M has to understand.  He's famous in some circles, M, please understand that.)   Larry did, however, offer for M, A, and Cr, to interview him by e-mail.   Wow, that's still so very very cool!   Thanks, Larry!  :)   M's disappointed, even if understanding, and teacher Mo is impressed and happy for the connection.   I suggested to M that they come up with some intelligent questions before writing him back, and she asks me again for the Tenement Museum website address.

Get involved in anything Celtic, one eventually finds his or her way into music.  I'm told members of Celtic Thunder are playing outside B'more tonight, including Jessie Winch whom I know from the Bogwanderers, and whom ZandB (blog in my sidebar) told me I should contact for M to interview......   Irish music, Irish dancing.   Both seem to seep into our lives in many fashions, almost becoming our lives at this time of year, perhaps even helping to define the Irish immigrants years ago and now, also.   I'm glad, however, for the Irish community I've found in the great Washington, D.C. / Baltimore area.   I only know it so well, but I like what I know, I've learned a lot, found some friends.  

The most cheerful of the cleaning crew was my desk just now.  (I'm writing this after my time at work has been done, argh, did Grey's just come on, I'm missing the beginning AGAIN?.)   He knows that I know rudimentary Spanish, and he always talks to me, big smile on his face.  He's possibly an immigrant here, part of the current wave, or cycle, of ethnic communities of immigrants to our great country.   He returns to be sure I'm not here much longer, he'll be sure someone else stays in the building (I think?).

To quote Larry Kirwan (Black47 http://www.black47.com) from his St. Patrick's Day message of 2002, yes, I saved it:), "....we still must honor the memory of those who paved the way for us.  Part of that responsibility is that Irish-Americans should never forget the new immigrants from other lands, legal and otherwise.  Many, like our forebears, are fleeing tyrrany, economic and political, and are striving to feed and educate their families.  It would be the ultimate irony if an Irish-American were to look down upon the least of them; for, in my mind, anyway, there is no place in the Irish soul for racism, sectarianism, homophobia, or even dumb old Archie Bunker-type xenophobia." 

Even if I'd known online of a few Irish-Americans in New York City who are outraged that any Catholic church in "their" city would even consider holding some masses in Spanish, and, well, I disjoined their group for all of their very harshly negative comments on blacks and hispanics, using slang I didn't even know.  

Few of us are natives here.   God created us all equal.   Oh, yes, I will celebrate my ethnic heritage and history.   How exciting for M's class to learn in detail of some of the peoples who have come here to our shores in the past, and their history, too:)

Tags: Irish immigration, Irish immigration in New York City, class trip to New York City, Black47, Ellis Island, Fay's Shoes, Tenement Museum, Larry Kirwan