"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest form of appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." — JFK
READING: A lot of professional development and some palate cleansers
Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana — “The authors of Make Just One Change argue that formulating one’s own questions is ‘the single most essential skill for learning’—and one that should be taught to all students” (Goodreads).
A Handbook for Developing and Using Proficiency Scales in the Classroom: (A clear, practical handbook for creating and utilizing high-quality proficiency scales) by Jan K. Hoegh et al.
The Age of Light by Whitney Sharer — “The true story of Vogue model turned renowned photographer Lee Miller, and her search to forge a new identity as an artist after a life spent as a muse. ‘I'd rather take a photograph than be one,’ she declares after she arrives in Paris in 1929, where she soon catches the eye of the famous Surrealist Man Ray…Lee's journey of self-discovery takes took her from the cabarets of bohemian Paris to the battlefields of war-torn Europe during WWII, from inventing radical new photography techniques to documenting the liberation of the concentration camps as one of the first female war correspondents. Through it all, Lee must grapple with the question of whether it's possible to stay true to herself while also fulfilling her artistic ambition--and what she will have to sacrifice to do so” (Goodreads).
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore — “Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder" substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives” (Goodreads).
WATCHING:
Notre-Dame: La Part du feu on Netflix — “During the night that Notre-Dame burned. It's about the destiny of men and women who have their own fire to put out. As the Paris firefighters try to stop the flames from spreading in the Cathedral, the show also follows characters being put through the wringer they will have to fight each other, love each other, come across each other, hate each other, smile at or help each other so that, in the end, they may have a chance to start all over again” (IMDb)
The Crown - Season 5 on Netflix — 1991 to 1997 (just before the fatal crash in Paris): “These years were always going to be provocative, spanning marital chaos, fragile mental health and public confessions of infidelity among members of the royal family” (NYT).
Where the Crawdads Sing on Netflix — “A woman who raised herself in the marshes of the Deep South becomes a suspect in the murder of a man with whom she was once involved” (IMDb). Great book. Good movie.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving — “Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown's for Thanksgiving, and with Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, he attempts to throw together a Thanksgiving dinner” (IMDb). I love Peanuts.
LISTENING TO: I’m still in cool jazz mode and will likely keep listening to Vince Guaraldi radio on Pandora throughout the holidays. A November favorite is always George Winston’s Autumn.
ENJOYING:
Beyond Monet at the Wisconsin Center — It was lovely, yet although I prefer Monet’s paintings of waterlilies, regattas, picnics, etc., I do think that last year’s Beyond Van Gogh was more engaging.
The first snow of the season — I just love it.
Slowly decorating for the holidays — I was home sick for two days (bronchitis) and beautifully falling snow inspired me to slowly start bringing out the holiday decorations. Usually, I am insistent about celebrating one holiday at at time; therefore, no Christmas decorations come out until after Thanksgiving. Yet, this year, I started with “winter” decorations — my little white village, snowflakes, etc. I will go full-on Christmas on November 25th. We are having guests stay with us from December 1-4 and I want our house to be festive and welcoming.
