Pumpkin Carving with My Boy!

Tonight, Adrian and I carved three pumpkins for Hallowe'en.  As Adrian put the finishing touches on one of the pumpkins I couldn't help but feel "sappier than a sugar maple"!  Next year at this time Adrian will be away at University and I'll be carving on my own.  Boo hoo!

Watch out!

Beauty Dog enjoyed the event!

Pumpkin Harvest!

On Saturday, October 20th, Mom, Dad, Pat, Adrian, Beauty Dog and I went out to the garden to harvest the pumpkins.  It was a beautiful fall day and as you will see from the photos the colours were extraordinarily beautiful.  It wasn't long before the truck was filled and altogether over 40 pumpkins were delivered to my home and to my classroom.  The children will be surprised when they come to school on Monday to discover that a pumpkin awaits for each of them.  We will use these class pumpkins to inspire future reading, writing, math and science lessons!

Beauty and I check out the crop!

The Truck is full!

Garden slowing down but still swiss chard, kale, parsnips and brussels sprouts to harvest!

A late fall blossom!

Harvest is done!

Later, in the evening we drove to Belleville to watch my brothers play, "The Importance of Being Earnest".  http://www.intelligencer.ca/2012/10/12/an-earnest-offering  My brother Dave directed this hilarious play, written by playwright Oscar Wilde.  The action takes place in class-conscious England near the turn of the last century, at a time of transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian ages and when the aesthetic movement, led by Oscar Wilde, was at its peak.  After the play, Mom, Dave, Pat and I joined Dave for wings at a local restaurant and wished Dave a "Happy Birthday" when the clock struck midnight.  Happy Birthday Dave!

Education Workers Fight for Democracy

Today, at a joint press conference, ETFO, OSSTF, CUPE and OPSEU Presidents announced that they will file Charter Challenges with the Supreme Court to fight Bill 115, a bill which denies education workers their rights, guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  In addition, a full page ad in the Toronto Star encourages teachers and all Ontario citizens to answer this question:

"How can we tell our students that democracy is worth fighting for if we do not fight for it ourselves?"

To hear the details of the press conference check out the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX7TtKIoi3s



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVpPkIknykU

Thanksgiving Dinner at Dave's

Just returned home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my brother Dave's in Prince Edward County.  All of my siblings made it home this year so all five us were together for the big feast.  Altogether, there were 21 family members at the table and good food was enjoyed by all.  After dinner we had a bonfire out by the bay!

Awaiting the feast while Janice reads a Thanksgiving message.

Family

Cousin Noah... or is that Caveman Noah!

The "Henderson" Clan

Dave and Janice watch the fire!

Take Back the Night!

On Thursday, September 20th, I joined several Limestone teachers and other concerned citizens to "Take Back the Night".  We marched in solidarity to raise awareness about the serious issue of violence against women.  One of our youngest supporters was on hand to deliver lunch bags donated by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.

April and her son Parker deliver lunch bags.

April, Sylvie and Parker.

Status of Women Members Take Back the Night!

September Hike!

On Saturday we went on a family hike in Frontenac Park, north of Kingston.  Every year Frontenac Provincial Park runs the Frontenac Challenge.  Participants are challenged to complete 11 trails, totalling 260 km, over the course of two months time.  My dad has completed the full challenge 14 times, my brother Dave, 5 times and I have completed it twice.  I won't be doing the full challenge this year as I am back to work and it is hard to squeeze it in on the weekends but I did complete it last year when I was on leave.  My dad will not complete the challenge, it has been a number of years since he has done so, but he will complete a number of trails and take part in the annual celebration at the end.  Dave has set his sights on a 6 year pin!

It was a beautiful day!  The sun came out and the temperature hovered around 18 degrees celcius.  Pat, Dave, Dad, Adrian and I had a nice time enjoying the green scenery and some quality time together.  At a few points on the trail, I got "sappier than a sugar maple", as I realized that this might be my last opportunity, for some time, to complete a September hike with my boy.  Next year at this time he will be off to university.  This year is destined to be a series of such moments.  Poor Adrian!

The hikers minus Pat, the photographer.

Rugged Trail

A Fine Young Man!

Brother Dave looks on!

Dave and Dad consult the map.

Nancy pulls a McGuinty!

Strike a Pose!

Sad Day For Democracy

My day began with a last chance appeal to the 107 democratically elected representatives of our province and is ending with dismay as I read only 13 responses.  Many of those responses tried to justify taking away my democratic rights.  Today, the Liberal and PC MPP's voted to approve Bill 115, a bill which takes away my rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Today is a very sad day for democracy.