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Future Aspirations

4/29/2012

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“Kids who think they’re headed somewhere tend to make better choices than those who think they are headed nowhere.  Future aspirations determine choices.”  This is a quote that sticks in my head from a recent workshop on Poverty which I attended with my colleagues, and where we heard  Pedro Nogruera speak on the impact of poverty on our students, and what we as schools can do to make a difference.

It was food for thought, as I drive past a juvenile detention centre, and the mammoth new correctional facility being built near my own community on my way home every day.  Both of these institutions (not just in my community) house thousands who have not made good choices.  Many, perhaps, because they simply could not envision a different sort of future.

Nogruera’s quote struck me again as my student teacher and I embarked on a “Point of View” writing lesson recently, where we asked students this question:

“Would you rather have a long summer,
or one week off each month all year?”

I was absolutely flabbergasted by how many of my students were not simply able to conceive of the latter scenario.  Even as  my ever-industrious student teacher rushed to copy and post a yearlong calendar on the board, where she highlighted both options month by month, both in a different colour, so that

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Mother Goose

4/26/2012

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geese GO train Willowbrook
We saw the neatest thing the other night... out geocaching near dusk, we came across a pair of geese near a train yard.  One was sitting on the ground next to the fence beside the tracks, apparently unbothered by the noisy trains that screetched continuously past.  This goose's wing looked contorted into a rather uncomfortable shape, and I wondered if she was hurt.

I snuck closer to inspect, but was hissed at vehemently by the sitting goose's partner, who was not deterred by my approach, but rather, made it abundantly clear that I was not welcome so near.  I soon figured out why:  The sitting goose's large wing was shielding a small gaggle of goslings!!!

After a while, a fuzzy, yellow head poked up from under the wing, and Mother Goose turned her neck around to preen her baby, then poked it back into position next to its siblings under her broad, feathered wing.

I was lucky to get close enough for a kind-of-okay shot of the babies snuggling in together, before her partner made it clear that that was enough excitement for one night!

(click on the first image to enlarge!)

As I remarked to my own partner, who had accompanied me on the evening's geocaching adventures, it was odd that this family would choose a noisy train yard to settle down in for the night. 

"Maybe", she replied, "they like the industrial look, like we do!"
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Skootering Byrd

4/23/2012

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beagle on scooter
We've been scootering a lot lately, since the four of us got scooters... it's a little lower maintenance and "ready to go" than cycling, especially with kids and dog.

On a recent trip to San Remo's for gelato, Jasper joined us and tried his paw at scootering.

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Bandit by the Lake

4/9/2012

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Observed down by the Lake this morning, while out walking the dog and scootering with the family... one baby raccoon, clambering up from the beach, looking somewhat guilty!
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Easter Outside

4/9/2012

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Picture

The annual Teschow-Rogerson Easter egg hunt/picnic is a long-standing tradition between our two families. 

Originally organized by my mother and her best friend, Jeanette Rogerson, the hunt includes lots of good food and of course, plenty of chocolate, coupled with time outside (yes, even when the weather is miserable, as it sometimes is apt to be in early spring), and a supply of hot tea or coffee in thermoses.  In recent years, it has grown to include many new friends.  This year, we were blessed with sunny – albiet extremely windy – weather, so we truly enjoyed several hours outdoors. 

The delicious potluck smorgasboard, which included some Polish-inspired beets to complement the annual German potato salad and various assorted cheeses, etc., was followed by the Easter egg hunt ritual.  Chocolate eggs were "hidden" (strewn liberally across the hill nearby) by two "responsible" adults, and then hunted by the children of all ages in our party.  There were lots of kids this year; along with Alex and Simon, we had the Rogerson grandchildren (so cuuuute!!!) and a little friend, and also our realtor’s 12-year-old daughter.

Once all the eggs had been found and dumped onto a big blanket, the “adult chocolates” were sorted out, and everyone got to choose a few favourites from the communal pile.

Then it was time for some serious chocolate-eating!

The nice weather meant that several subgroups took walks around the park, or went to see the swans, to visited the Lake and throw rocks into the water.  A friend from church also happened by with her two dogs, and we took an impromptu “family photo”!
Teschow- Rogerson Easter Egg Hunt 2012
What a delight to enjoy another year of this springtime tradition.

(Want more?  Here are some pics of Easter Sunday morning at our place… the boys followed the clues left by the Easter bunny to find a basket of goodies.  Click on the first photo to enlarge.)
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    About Vera...

    Vera & her Sons, April 2021
    After writing for several teacher and multiple birth publications, including ETFO's Voice Magazine, Multiple Moments, and the Bulletwin, Vera turned her written attention to prolific blogging for some years, including BiB,  "Learn to Fly with Vera!"  and SMARTbansho .  In 2014, Homeschooling 4 was her travel blog in Argentina.  She now spends more time on her Instagram (@schalgzeug_usw)  than her blog (pictures are worth a thousand words?!) and moderates several Facebook groups in Canada and Mexico.

    LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING?? Consider sending a gift to support our Little Free Library and other projects: bit.ly/VeraList
    DISCLAIMER
    The views expressed on this blog are the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of her family members or the position of her employer on the the issues she blogs about.  These posts are intended to share resources, document family life, and encourage critical thought on a variety of subjects.  They are not intended to cause harm to any individual or member of any group. By reading this blog and viewing this site, you agree to not hold Vera liable for any harm done by views expressed in this blog.
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Vera C. Teschow, OCT, M.Ed., MOT
Toronto, ON & St Peter's Harbour, PE
www.verateschow.ca 2023
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