The Ka-tet Cantina

[skimom2]

EEEK! Editor said he put in the request for Finders Keepers for me! I thought he might pass me over on that one

The only book I expressed interest in that he didn't request for me was Kate Atkinson's new one (someone got in there before me on that one). Very, very pleased this morning

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Making jam today...good day for it as the temps outside are single digit. Have some strawberry cooking in the water now, 11 8oz jars...will do another 11-12 after those are done...and will see how ambitious I am after the second batch cooks off. Timer went off so the first batch is on the counter cooling off.

 

[Out of Order]

EEEK! Editor said he put in the request for Finders Keepers for me! I thought he might pass me over on that one

You'll be sending me the copy of that when you're done, of course.

 

[skimom2]

You'll be sending me the copy of that when you're done, of course.

From me and Clyde:

(besides, you know me: I'm a law keeper. No ARC leaves my house until after pub date, and even then I feel strange passing them around. I'm pretty generally a weirdo )

 

[Out of Order]

From me and Clyde:
View attachment 8263
(besides, you know me: I'm a law keeper. No ARC leaves my house until after pub date, and even then I feel strange passing them around. I'm pretty generally a weirdo )

I'll take that as a NO!

 

[skimom2]

Question for the Tet: has anyone here opted out of standardized testing for their kids? I'm at my wit's end with them. It seems like the kids jump from one test to another, none of which do anything for them (as results come too late), but are used to rate the teachers & the schools. My LilMan is a smarticle particle, but he's getting more and more reluctant to go to school because so much stress is put on getting a perfect score. Morning 'tummy aches' (to the point of throwing up on test days) are becoming standard in mi casa.

Anyone else had experience with this or with opting out?

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Question for the Tet: has anyone here opted out of standardized testing for their kids? I'm at my wit's end with them. It seems like the kids jump from one test to another, none of which do anything for them (as results come too late), but are used to rate the teachers & the schools. My LilMan is a smarticle particle, but he's getting more and more reluctant to go to school because so much stress is put on getting a perfect score. Morning 'tummy aches' (to the point of throwing up on test days) are becoming standard in mi casa.

Anyone else had experience with this or with opting out?

No experience at all...we have no children. What is involved with opting out? Does that mean attention is drawn to the child? Or is there a way to do that without drawing attention to the child? What I remember about some of those tests is that I had no clue how I did on them. None that I remember. Maybe they told us maybe they didn't.

 

[Spideyman]

Question for the Tet: has anyone here opted out of standardized testing for their kids? I'm at my wit's end with them. It seems like the kids jump from one test to another, none of which do anything for them (as results come too late), but are used to rate the teachers & the schools. My LilMan is a smarticle particle, but he's getting more and more reluctant to go to school because so much stress is put on getting a perfect score. Morning 'tummy aches' (to the point of throwing up on test days) are becoming standard in mi casa.

Anyone else had experience with this or with opting out?

My children were past school age, so never experienced it personally. However, when it became necessary for me to teach preschoolers for the K testing, I saw a marked increase in jitters. At that stage I still had the ability to make "learning for the test" fun. I have seen neighbors children have panic attacks over these tests. Excellent daily students who did poorly on the test were required to take "catch up" classes. This is turn made them dislike learning even more.

Here is a ink that may provide you with some information, as each state has different laws regarding opting out.
Opting Out | FairTest

 

[ghost19]

Happy Hump Day!

I've been down since we got back from our trip home. Haven't done a darn thing about rearranging for the furniture we brought back with us. Or much of anything else, either. I did cook dinner for the family last night. RJ is coming today, so he will definitely keep me busy. He is talking more and more, and counts to 3! Even holds his little pointer finger up when he says one.

Have a good day, everyone. Stay warm and safe from the never ending snow and ice. Big hugs and positive vibes to all.

Howdy Cat. Was just curious how the winter has been up there in big sky country? I bet it's something to see. Hope you have a good week ma'am.

 

[Lepplady]

Friends!

A Camel-Tet!

 

[skimom2]

No experience at all...we have no children. What is involved with opting out? Does that mean attention is drawn to the child? Or is there a way to do that without drawing attention to the child? What I remember about some of those tests is that I had no clue how I did on them. None that I remember. Maybe they told us maybe they didn't.

That's a good point, Walter--thank you. It surely might make him feel worse to be singled out. I'm stumped right now.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Making jam today...good day for it as the temps outside are single digit. Have some strawberry cooking in the water now, 11 8oz jars...will do another 11-12 after those are done...and will see how ambitious I am after the second batch cooks off. Timer went off so the first batch is on the counter cooling off.

Have 22 jars cooling...after a bit I'm going to start on some strawberry-rhubarb and that will be it until I can get some more lids. All 22 popped...once you remove them from the...whatever they call it...bathwater? Just a sec...well they call it 'putting them in a canner' that's full of boiling water...they stay in there for ten minutes and that's it...you cook up the berries and some Sure-gel, sugar...the less sugar the more liquid it is...not much difference in taste low-sugar or what the recipe calls for just gotta be careful when you're eating toast you don't drip all over your shirt. I hope we have a spring...which means a regular start to the garden growing season. Have a pile of bottles sitting empty and haven't been able to make any pickles the past two years...the garden produced...just not enough abundance to spill over into pickles...bread & butter, green tomato, salsa. I bet there's some in the area that are starting their tomatoes...or soon...even though we've got well over two feet of ground cover.

 

[Out of Order]

Did you have the strawberries for the jam in your freezer, Walter?

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Did you have the strawberries for the jam in your freezer, Walter?

Yes...from last summer. Purchased the berries from kids selling them side of the road after the 4th. Also have a bunch of blueberries, blackberries (had a real good year several years ago)...good thing, because someone took the plants where they'd been growing wild, thumb-size berries...thought about trying to make wine...people make some kick-arse wine with them...some raspberries. All but the strawberries we pick ourselves. I think after this batch I'm going to call it good.

 

[Out of Order]

Yes...from last summer. Purchased the berries from kids selling them side of the road after the 4th. Also have a bunch of blueberries, blackberries (had a real good year several years ago)...good thing, because someone took the plants where they'd been growing wild, thumb-size berries...thought about trying to make wine...people make some kick-arse wine with them...some raspberries. All but the strawberries we pick ourselves. I think after this batch I'm going to call it good.

It's been years since we did the canning thing, but my I'd do it again. There was nothing like hearing the sound of the lid snapping after going to all the trouble of preparing. Tomatoes, berries of all sorts....Mmmmm.

Nothing like spreading a little summer on toast on a cold winter day.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

It's been years since we did the canning thing, but my I'd do it again. There was nothing like hearing the sound of the lid snapping after going to all the trouble of preparing. Tomatoes, berries of all sorts....Mmmmm.

Nothing like spreading a little summer on toast on a cold winter day.

Yep! And good thing I didn't waste my time trying to install windows today...it is almost white-out conditions though it had been sunny earlier. The last batch is cooking...about 3-4 minutes left then I can cleanup. Somewhere around 33+ jars...had to do three larger jars with this last batch, maybe 12 ounce...slightly larger batch than the previous two. Last time I canned jam I did 55 jars and we've about six or seven left...two years ago. I give some away, too.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Happy Hump Day!

I've been down since we got back from our trip home. Haven't done a darn thing about rearranging for the furniture we brought back with us. Or much of anything else, either. I did cook dinner for the family last night. RJ is coming today, so he will definitely keep me busy. He is talking more and more, and counts to 3! Even holds his little pointer finger up when he says one.

Have a good day, everyone. Stay warm and safe from the never ending snow and ice. Big hugs and positive vibes to all.

(((tina))) Grief will lay you low for sure.

 

[HollyGolightly]

EEEK! Editor said he put in the request for Finders Keepers for me! I thought he might pass me over on that one
View attachment 8259
The only book I expressed interest in that he didn't request for me was Kate Atkinson's new one (someone got in there before me on that one). Very, very pleased this morning

Lucky ducky!!!

 

[Kurben]

EEEK! Editor said he put in the request for Finders Keepers for me! I thought he might pass me over on that one
View attachment 8259
The only book I expressed interest in that he didn't request for me was Kate Atkinson's new one (someone got in there before me on that one). Very, very pleased this morning

Do you find it difficult to be objective enough to write a review when it is an author you really like? But i'm glad for your sake. Only wish i had that oppurtunity. Can i be a little envious without being too horrible?

 

[skimom2]

Do you find it difficult to be objective enough to write a review when it is an author you really like? But i'm glad for your sake. Only wish i had that oppurtunity. Can i be a little envious without being too horrible?

Nope. I don't blindly adore anyone. Good points are good points, and weak points are weak, no matter who is doing the writing.