It's not easy being green

For the most part, it is a lovely time of year out here in Hooterville, Georgia. The temps are mild - highs in the low 70s, lows in the 50s - and everything is blooming and leafing. But with all the plants and trees erupting in blooms and leaves, there is green pollen. Everywhere.

I prefer to keep the windows open when the weather is mild but it is not a good idea when the pollen is this bad. I did not realize how bad it was until the other day when I found Spenser paw prints in the layer of green pollen on the computer desk. Ewww. I promptly closed all the windows and wiped every surface I could find. Green, green and more green. When I cleaned the floors yesterday, the water I emptied out of the floor cleaner was, you guessed it, green.

At least this spring we are getting more rain than last year at this time. The rain washes the pollen away for at least a little while, making odd green rivulets in yards and on driveways.

Last Saturday when we were outside, we had a very odd pollen experience. The wind suddenly picked up in advance of a rain shower and a great green dust cloud came hurtling down the driveway. For several minutes, it was as though we were in a combination of a pollen fog and a pollen dust storm. Yuck! We went inside as quickly as we could, but the pollen had invaded our eyes, noses and mouths more so than usual. How bizarre, how bizarre.

So while I like the return of green to the world, I will be glad when this green pollen period moves on.

Third report card

When Aidan brought home his report card last week for the third nine week session, my first thought was "only nine weeks to go?"

As usual, his report card held no surprises. He continues to perform at or above grade level standards on all measures of academic achievement; his strongest areas are oral language, phonemic awareness (???) and mathematics. In the specialty areas, he received "satisfactory" in all except uses self-control, makes wise use of class time, and stays on task; in those he received "needs improvement". Really? He needs improvement?

The teacher's comments for this round were:

• Aidan is a pleasure to have in class.
• Aidan is continuing to work on not interrupting when others are speaking.
• Keep up the good work.

By being in his classroom every week, I know that his teacher and para pro like Aidan and think he is a smart child, but they do get frustrated with him being a busybody and his tendency to blurt out answers. They have indicated to me, however, that this is usual kindergarten behavior and they know we are working on it with him, and we will eventfully make progress.