Mineral Point, Wisconsin

The southwest portion of Wisconsin is referred to as the "Driftless Area" because the last glaciers to cover parts of North America did not spread over that part region.  The following is from Wikipedia, "Retreating glaciers leave behind silt, clay, sand, gravel, and boulders — called drift. Glacial drift includes till (unsorted material) and outwash (layers deposited by meltwater streams).^"
 
Sarah's brother and sister-in-law own a second home in Mineral Point, Wisconsin which rests comfortably in the Driftless region.  Their home is a lovely little frame home thought to be over 100 years old.  Donna has worked her magic on the house and it is most tastefully decorated.  Don't tell anyone that I used the phrase, "Tastefully decorated."

The driftless area has hills and valleys aplenty.  Perhaps you must have valleys if you have hills and vice versa.  Anyway it does.  Winding roads, scenic views, old farms, fresh air and friendly people abound. 

David and Donna have made many friends and know their way around Mineral Point and its surroundings.  They are wonderful hosts and seek to entertain and accommodate.  Sarah and I spent the past weekend being entertained and accommodated.

The highlight of our trip was the hops harvesting fest that we attended.  There was beer, music, kids, an old farm house, friendly people and lots of vines full of hops to be pulled off.

All of the music that we heard was very good.  We especially enjoyed a band out of Mount Horeb who call themselves, The Earthlings.  They were exceptional.  The young man who does most of the singing and also plays guitar (I also saw him playing bass and I think drums too) was obviously the leader.  He was a joy to watch.

The crowd was small, perhaps 50 people.  A band with the talent that The Earthling have deserves a much larger and more attentive audience.  A side benefit of hearing the band outside and with limited amplification is that they were not uncomfortably loud.

Mineral Point is a great old town.  It has an interesting history.  There are beautiful old buildings, quiet streets, a farmers market in the park on Saturdays, art gallerys, an antique shop or two, a brew pub, an upscale restaurant, and other interesting attractions that I am too tired to recall of look up.

Go there but don't form big, loud crowds.  Just be friendly and unobtrusive and  spend your money.

Oh, one more thing, Allen Luden, deceased husband of Betty White and former host of "Password" was born in Mineral Point and lived there until he was about five.  He is buried there too.

First Day of School

Did not get the full time teaching position that I interviewed for.  For a week after the first interview I was both confident, and nervous that I was going to get it but then I got the phone call saying that they had hired someone else.

A couple of weeks later I was offered a .3 FTE reading support position.  .3 FTE means 30% of Full Time Employment.  It's in a school that I love.  It pays more than I made last year, not much more, as a substitute teacher and it may be easier to get full time employment the year after this having had this teaching experience.

There are so many things for a teacher to know at the beginning of the school year.  It is true that a lot of what you are told is also given to you in written form and a lot of what you are told and given in written form is information that you could teach all year and not know.  Still and all there is a lot to remember.

The first school day has begun as I write this.  But because I am .3 of FTE my day does not begin until 9:30 AM.