Lessons Learned

The other day my daughter-in-law called with a question about the 6 year old's homework. As she was asking me the question about the lesson, she realized what the teacher meant on the assignment so I actually never answered. (For those who don't know-I was an elementary school techer for over 30 years.)
It got me thinking about lessons, how we learn and greatly, what we retain.
It is amazing how what we don't use, we lose or it morphs into something else. I taught the exact lesson my grandson was learning for decades but I don't think about it anymore, ever, and neither does my daughter-in-law which is why she mis-read it to start. The student actually got it and had been arguing with her! 

I do believe the first 3-4 years of school includes information we will always use, no matter our profession or life course. Reading, writing and arithmetic....they used to be called the "3 Rs" though only one word started with an 'r'! I used to tell the parents I believed in another set of Rs...responsibility,responsibility and responsibility.
The curriculum load has grown hugely over the years and has been pushed down the grade chain. A great deal is expected of kids today but they can do it as long as they are responsible about their learning. And then all the lessons will be learned and hopefully retained.


Lesson learned reagarding gardens:
Perennials, perennials,perennials...initial work but less as the years go on! Sit back and watch them grow!

June

June was always very special to me.

As much as I mostly loved school as a student, June was exciting as it marked the end of the grade. As a teacher, boy oh, boy, was it an exciting month----the end of the 10 month year. 

My Mom always celebrated half birthdays and mine is in June, so another special event.

And now, through my grandsons, I'm aware of the end of school but really don't care. Half-birthdays? Marking getting old twice a year? Uh,no!

June has a business focus as I make sure to create any Father's Day  or graduation gifts.  No one is even close to graduating from anything in our family, so no gifts there.

June has a weather focus as in South Carolina, the serious heat is here. In New York, it was planting time. Here, it's don't let those babies dry up in the heat...water, water, water!

So what does June mean now? Really, it's just another month.

I do start thinking about fall/ winter items for the shop. Maybe having a "Christmas in July" sale again, even though they've been nothing in the past.

I decide if this old body will go in public clad in a bathing suit....probably not!

I stock up on bug spray and bite ointments.

We use the grill more and sit outside alot.

I love summer fruit which is starting to come in.

My husband and daughter-in-law have birthdays.

We have higher electric bills due to air conditioning.

We have lower home gas bills.

We're sad on Father's Day as we don't have our Dads but we're very proud of the Dad my son has become.

We're thankful we've completed 6 months of the new year without major issues.

So in the end, every month evolves and their meanings get adjusted and renewed. For new and different reasons, June is special. Enjoy yours!