My new students are checking out socialstudieswithasmile.com for the first time and are probably stumbling upon the blog. This is a new addition to the website. I am hoping it gives me, students, and possibly even parents the opportunity to communicate about things that don’t always have to do with school.
I am excited about getting to know my new students. We have a great team this year!
See you soon in school!
It was sad to hear about the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. My last memory is of Kennedy giving a speech at the Democratic Convention last year. It took a lot of courage given his illness. Certainly he was a man with flaws, but there are many things he has done to help this country over the years.
If you are a fan of baseball, the 1986 Mets or want to get into the mind of a major league pitcher check out Ron Darling’s book The Complete Game.
I spent my summer vacation the same way everyone probably dreams of spending a week away…in Cincinnati…7 baseball games in 8 days! Unfortunately, the nearly last place Reds only won 2 of them…This year Bronson Arroyo has thrown 2 shut outs…I was at both of them (one in NY and one this past week)…in fact, Arroyo has only given up one run in 26 innings when I’m in attendance…perhaps I should follow the team around more often.
Johnny Gomes made the first night fun…3 HRs in 4 at-bats…The next night I managed to catch my first foul ball ever (actually it was more like it bounced of a guy’s hands, then hit the seats and rolled to my foot but I had to bend over to pick it up)…A few innings later, I had one bounce off my hand.
Overall, we had great seats. Probably the best were the Champions club seats…Although they weren’t on the field level…it had an all-you-can-eat lounge (air conditioned on a hot August Cincy day). All you can eat sounded like a challenge to me…
You’ve never had “fall off the bone” ribs until you eat at The Montgomery Inn.
Drew Stubbs made his MLB debut for the Reds…we saw his first hit and the next day his first Major league HR (a wall off shot off the foul pole)
The Underground Railroad Freedom Center was great again…I managed to bring home some great new information to share with my classes about slavery, the Underground Railroad, the Middle Passage, etc.
Also great was the Reds Hall of Fame…the only Hall of Fame that is better is in Cooperstown. We went 3 times. It only cost 16 bucks for two season passes.
Congratulations to new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Hopefully she will make decisions with the best interests of all Americans in mind. Sotomayor is the first Supreme Court Justice with a Hispanic background and only the 3rd woman ever. There are currently two women on the US Supreme Court (bonus points if you know the other).
It was disappointing to read that Josh Hamilton had recent trouble with alcohol. He now serves as a role model to youngsters all over the country. Hopefully everything will be ok in the future for that gifted young athlete.
For some reason this summer I’ve been hooked on Reality TV. I’ve been watching Dating in the Dark on Mondays and More to Love on Tuesdays. Yesterday, I discovered Grandma Lee on America’s Got Talent. She is a 75 year old comedian. I don’t plan on watching that show but I am definitely rooting for her to win.
More reality…The Reds finally won. Scott Rolen got his first hit as a Red (2 Run Homerun). Hopefully, the Reds can finish with a respectable record. It is unbelievable how many injuries that team has had to deal with.
Jerry Hairston…Jerry Hairston to the Yankees was a great move for NY. The guy is versatile and in my opinion a clutch performer. His numbers have been great so far. Remember, in 2003 the Reds and Yankees made a trade for Aaron Boone. The Yankees went to the World Series that year thanks in part to the heroics of “Yank Aaron” against the Red Sox. Who knows…maybe Hairston will help the Yankees get back to the World Series again.
One year from today my brother will be getting married. The time will fly by. Hopefully it isn’t too hot/humid or rainy that day. August weddings can be tough. It rained on my wedding day but stopped just in time for everything to work out perfectly.
This has been a great summer. I wish it didn’t have to end, especially on days like today. The weather has been wonderful! After I type this I’m going back out to enjoy the fresh air and do some reading. I wish I could read this much during the school year.
It only took about 8 weeks, but my fantasy baseball team finally won a game. Too little too late for playoffs but I’m hoping to get back some respectability in the final weeks.
The Reds traded for Scott Rolen…I’m worried about his durability but he should be a great leader on a team that needs one. Unfortunately, the Reds have lost 13 of their last 14 and one of their best pitchers is out of the rest of this year and probably all of next year as well. When I booked a trip to Cincinnati this year, I never expected I would be going to see a last place team. Oh well! There’s always next year.
