Author Archives: ramblingsofaperforatedmind

End of Year

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This school year has flown by, but it was a tough year just the same. By the end of the school year, kids and teachers have had enough of each other. Every parent becomes a critic while students and teachers fight “spring fever” and symptoms of “senioritis.” It’s par for the course. Summer is a welcome respite from the daily battles concerning homework, lesson plans and grading. Even teacher workdays are great. With no students to distract us, we can finalize grades and straighten our classrooms. It’s almost therapeutic. It is our ritual to close the year. We have time to reflect upon the good and the bad so we can improve.

I feel like I can breathe now. I can spend time with loved ones, have some fun and be mentally ready when August rolls around.

Grading papers takes more time than people think!

Grading papers takes more time than people think!

Colorado’s Marijuana Issues

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I saw on the news this morning that there has been an increase of marijuana overdoses in children between the ages of 2 and 4. Nobody saw that coming? Marijuana is legal in Colorado now, so pot users are allowed to have up to an ounce in their possession. Is it a shock that some of these users are parents? Why would people not think before bringing marijuana-laced brownies, suckers and other child-tempting products into the home? To make things worse the food products contain concentrated amounts of THC. Smoking marijuana and eating products containing it are very different things. It’s easier to overdose on food products, especially if you happen to be a small child. I can’t believe nobody saw this coming.

This article might explain things more clearly. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/08/marijuana-pot-edibles-thc-legalized-recreational/8463787/

Well-Pet Checkups

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This lovely feline called Purrful depends on her family for care and love.

This lovely feline called Purrful depends on her family for care and love.


Do your pets get treated like family? Do you care for them as you would your kids? I suspect the answer to both of those questions is a resounding YES! In that case, do you take your pet(s) to the vet for an annual checkup? There are so many asymptomatic illnesses that a yearly checkup is necessary. Something evil, insidious and deadly might be lurking within our precious pet. A thorough checkup might be the only way to uncover a killer.

If you are like me, you notice differences in your pet’s appearance or behavior quickly. I can even distinguish between my cats by the meow. As vigilant as I am, I don’t know everything. I do know the importance of an annual check by the vet. S/he will be able to delve deeper than the outward appearance to diagnose problems. This is especially important for older pets and the very young. If something is wrong, things can get worse quickly.

Don’t leave the health of your pet to chance. Be proactive.

Poppy is usually gregarious and a bit snarky (between naps). Watch for behavior changes in your pet. It could a warning sign of a health issue.

Poppy is usually gregarious and a bit snarky (between naps). Watch for behavior changes in your pet. It could be a warning sign of a health issue.

Vendors and Ice Cream!

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If you’ve been reading the blog lately, you know by now that I ended up at Fire School over the weekend. FUN!!! I was tied up in a (great) class for a couple of days, but I made time to check out the building full of vendors at Fonner Park. I didn’t get a T-shirt this year, but I finally bought a gear bag of my own. There were two vendors selling them, but I checked the prices and spent only $30 instead of the regular $45. Sure was happy about the savings! I used part of that $15 to get us a triple scoop each at Baskin Robbins! Ysabela had never been to a Baskin Robbins, but she knows how good it is now! She spent her Saturday in the hot tub while I toiled away in class, but we both are looking forward to next year’s jaunt!

Baskin Robbins was across the street from the hotel!

Baskin Robbins was across the street from the hotel!

A Learning Experience

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Thanks to Tyler, I snapped this picture.

Thanks to Tyler, I snapped this picture.

As you can see, Grand Island takes Fire School seriously. I learned that Long John Silver’s gives firefighters a discount, too. Many businesses do the same, and it is very much appreciated.

I went to a workshop called Volunteer Retention and Recruitment. Apparently, recruitment is not a problem exclusive to rural volunteer fire departments because there were 20 of us from all over Nebraska. It was nice to meet J. D., one of our dispatchers from Ogallala. The instructors, Greg Render and Kevin Quinn, were wonderful. Lyndsay, the super assistant, kept them organized. Greg Reddin, Project Director for ADAPT, also shared a lot of information with us. Most Fire School classes run 1-3 Friday, 8-3 Saturday and 8-12 Sunday. Mine was a bit different because we were in session Friday 12-5 and Saturday 8-5 (with a lunch break, of course).

Lyndsay is enthusiastic and knowledgeable!

Lyndsay is enthusiastic and knowledgeable!

The best part of the workshop for me was leaving class with a solid plan to recruit new volunteers. Lyndsay scanned our plans while we shared in class. She will follow up with each of us as the year progresses to make sure we are on target. As a technology junkie, I especially appreciated the flash drive and CD with sample documents to use in the recruitment process.

I hope to be able to implement some of the ideas from class. Realistically, some may not work for my area, but I sure can try!

Greg Reddin, ADAPT Director

Greg Reddin, ADAPT Director

Kevin and Greg--awesome instructors!

Kevin and Greg–awesome instructors!

The Chicken Chick

Throwback Thursday

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This cake was fabulous.

This cake was fabulous.


There’s nothing sweeter than a cake for a quince party. This particular cake had seven layers. The layers with fruit were tasty, but my favorite flavor was the tres leches. (For those who don’t know, a “quince” is a quinceañera—a 15th birthday party. Padrinos—godparents—pay for some of the expenses of the party.)

Cake for Paulina's quince

Cake for Paulina’s quince

Solution or Problem?

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This post will be brief, but I sincerely hope it will make you think. My question for you today: What are you doing to make the world a better place? Do you complain about what’s wrong with society? Do you do anything more than complain? Are you taking an active role to improve things around you?

What do you do to protect weaker beings? Do you foster a child? Have you ever adopted/rescued a pet? What causes do you champion? Life isn’t just about “me.”

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!

The Chicken Chick