This afternoon I received a call from Sean telling me that he was just awarded "Teacher of the Year" for the Huntington Beach High School District.  What an honor.  I am so proud of him.  He has rightfully earned this honor.  The other amazing thing is that this is his third award this year.  He received "Teacher of the Year" from the Rotary Club, and was nominated as "Teacher of the Year" from the California Teachers' Association.

John always says that Sean traded his thumbs for charm.  He is heavily involved in the school's BBN program, and other "journalistic" activities on campus.  He has delved into all social media, using Twitter, especially, to connect with other teachers.  All of this from a guy with a former life as a radio dee jay and marketing with the punk rock band The Offspring.  Yes, that is what you do when you graduate with a Master's Degree in creative writing.  I was ecstatic when he decided to go for his teaching credential and was hired by Fountain Valley High School.  It has obviously been the right fit for thumbs ziebarth.

Congratulations Sean!

My thoughts about sad news, we read or hear on social media.  This was my response to a friend on Facebook about a family whose young father was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Wow, that is a heart breaker! Will include the family in our prayers. Which, brings me to the question… How to include the multitude of people you are remembering in their prayers? There is a long list, of which, I can't remember their names, but I continue to tell them I will pray for them. I have even told total strangers I will pray for them. Social media has opened up the world of tragedy, illnesses, and hard times. Many are suffering. We are blessed and I am sooooooo grateful. However, life on this earth isn't over!

About a month ago I noticed that there was a bird nest in our front patio tucked away on a high ledge that was very protected from people or rains.  Everytime I go up our stairs I can see the nest, so I check on it all the time. 

In the beginning, there sat this dove, always in the same position, never moving.  I became a little concerned when a few weeks passed and there didn’t seem to be any change and no evidence of baby birds.  

One morning, after seeing the mother was not longer there,  I grabbed a ladder and peeked into the nest.  I was about ready to sweep the nest away with my hand when To my surprise there sat at least one baby dove, maybe two. 

Must admit I was very excited.  So, I have continued watching the mama dove.  She leaves in the morning and then returns and spends the next hour or so feeding the baby doves.  I expect there will be a time when it has been decided they are old enough to fly out of the nest, she will, in her wise bird brain, nudge them on and off they will fly, now on their own.  Her responsibility has ended.

I have seen the babies and they are getting big.  One was even flapping its wings and almost fell off the ledge.  Mom and dad alternate tending to them.  Sometimes they are both there.  It is amazing because this ledge is not that big.

Today, March 12th, I think they have flown away.  The nest is empty.  I am happy that the two babies made it safe and sound into the "bird world".  Hopefully we will have another nest, next spring.

HANNAH

One more try.  Just posted and lost the post.  Still trying to figure this all out. 

As I was walking today I saw 3 dog owners chatting with one another with their dogs obediently sitting next to them.  With a tug of the leash, off they all went in their different directions.  Sadly or gladly, depending on my state of mind, I thought of Hannah and the many 2 mile walks we took around the neighborhood.  She could do the whole two miles, and even one time, a 4 mile walk around Mile Square Park.  I miss her.  

I do believe, however, I am the only one who dearly misses her.  I said to Arlo the other day, "Do you know where Hannah is?" He quickly replied with the short answer, "She died".  and that was that.  Jasper, however, was a little more creative.  Sean and family made me a condolence card with pictures of Hannah and Nubis (Jason's dog who had to be put down).  Jasper had a cartoon "Bubble" over Nubis' head and he was saying to Hannah, "Wow, did you see that one coming?"  Guess, humor is the best way to handle my sad situation.  She was my dog.

He Has The Flu

You know John is sick when he stays home from his fifth grade classroom.  His cohorts have told him to not come back until next week.  Stay away.

Second Post

Let me introduce myself.  I am grandma to Cairo, Pallas, Jasper, Nathan, Allison, Jake, Zack, Travis.
Arlo John calls me Ponga.  We haven't ever figured out why, but the nickname sounds very endearing to me.  However, everyone in the family now knows who Ponga is.

My last two weeks have been sad ones.  My dear sweet Hannah crossed the rainbow bridge.  How can one human get so attached to one dog.  As John points out, I have had her for one quarter of my life.  My days have been scheduled around the "dog" - time to feed, time to walk, time to pee, time for snack, time for play.  She was a fun dog to play with.  I would cover her face with pillows or blankets and she would nestle into them while growling and digging her head deeper in the covers or pillows.  She would growl, and then let me know she wanted to do it more.  When she was young I would come home and all the pillows would be off the sofa and onto the floor..  It was her little trick.  She was with us for 18 years.  Started out being a companion with my mom when she lived with us.  Well, she outlived my mother and John was concerned that she would outlive him.   I did love her and miss her a lot.  Memories, however, as great as they should be, often make me very sad.

Ponga's Ponders