A life saved.......

A week after spotting my first rattlesnake on a walk about a mile from home,

I found this large bullsnake enmeshed in mesh we'd placed over some sprouting vegetables. The poor guy was completely trapped!

Fortunately, I was able to cut it free and untangle it from the mesh........

I hope it has the best of lives..................oh, yes, not wanting to trap another unfortunate snake, 

I took the mesh down.

And another life saved...............

Fiona, naughty girl, caught a vole and brought it to me. I was able to resuscitate it and return it to its mum.

It's MOTHER'S DAY............Here's my mum......

Here's my mum, Hazel Monica........................bless her cotton socks........:)

Early one spring morning.....

.....and things are beginning to happen in my garden.........

The delicate grasses are pushing through...

The yucca is looking perky

Seedlings are poking through

The deer have more to chomp

'Thank you, Mr. Paull....'

and the rabbits have had their babes

The cacti are coming..

the bush on the left - home to the rabbits

Succulents are beginning to look, well, succulent

The cacti garden on the east side.....

the cottonwood tree is leafing

and the cherry tree is full of blossom

Even the rocks near the front door look great!

And, of course, it SNOWED the next day!!!

which wasn't appreciated by the squirrels

So, Bertie and Fiona stayed where it was warm and dry...

Here you go, Sam......and other readers interested in the teaching and learning processes.....

Re “A Link Between Fidgety Boys and a Sputtering Economy,” by David Leonhardt (The Upshot, April 29):

The achievement gap between boys and girls is not quite the mystery your article describes.

“Educational reforms” pushed by wealthy donors like the Gates Foundation, testing corporations and both Democrats and Republicans have cut recess, gym and the arts to focus on testing.

While both boys and girls need time to run around, girls are more socially conditioned to sit still and obey the rules while boys more frequently act out. The focus on longer hours and more testing has not bridged race and class gaps as proponents promised, and it is no surprise that gender gaps are also apparent.

The testing model fails to consider broader socioeconomic realities, underpaid and under-rewarded teachers, and children’s overall needs for effective learning.

Rather than force “fidgety boys” to sit still for longer hours (or diagnose attention deficit disorder and drug them to comply), let them play! Address children’s need to move from one activity to another and blow off energy in the playground while offering multiple approaches to learning. This approach has put Finland at the top of educational performers among developed countries.

More recess, more arts and sports, the elimination of standardized testing, the valuing of teachers — it’s not a mystery!

CAROL BARTON
New York, April 29, 2014

Father's 102nd birthday

Hey, Dad's birthday today..........he'd be 102!!

and when he was 60...

And here's my fav photograph - walking down from Ding Dong Tin Mine........dad spotted a fox!
Of course..........:)