I'm back...

The last few months have been pretty eventful. We're moving to the tri-state area now for DAS' job. I have a job offer to work in the NYC schools and basically everything in our lives is up in the air right now. I've been working at Corcoran for the past couple of months as a Building Sub and I love being in the school. The kids are great most of the time. I will miss the school, my friends at the school, and the kids immensely. However, it will be great to have a permanent school where I have my own classroom and am less transient than I am right now. DAS has been traveling back and forth to Manhattan a lot. It seems like he is working two jobs right now for the company and I am looking forward to when we are settled and he can concentrate on just one job!

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Nature story: Part I:
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In the spring, we have "spring peeper" season. Literally, foe a few rainy days in April, frogs are hopping across our street. I'm not sure where they are going, but since we live near the lake, I guess to the lake? Anyway, it is a crazy couple of days, and there are frogs everywhere. But I'd never seen one up close until one night I looked out the front door, and there this guy was on the door frame... I was so happy to see him that I had to take this picture. Someone once told me that frogs are good luck, so this has to be a good thing!

Nature Story: Part II:

The other funny thing about where we live is that there are birds called kildeer plover (kildee) that nest in our front yard.

These birds are extremely protective of their nests and make a tremendous racket whenever we or Xena go into the front yard.

"The Kildeer is by most people called a "noisy bird and restless." Now to me it is any thing but this, unless indeed when it is disturbed by the approach or appearance of its enemies, more particularly man, of whom indeed few wild birds are fond. Watch them from under some cover that completely conceals you, and you will see them peaceably and silently follow their avocations for hours. In this respect the Kildeer resembles the Lapwing of Europe, which is also called a restless and noisy bird, because men and dogs are ever in pursuit of the poor thing, which after all its vigilance often falls a prey to the sportsman, who condemns it merely because it endeavours to draw him from its nest or young. During winter, when undisturbed, the Kildeer is in fact an unusually silent bird. " http://www.audubon.org/bird/BoA/F35_G1c.html

This little bird is quite a character, and we have been amazed and amused continually by its defense of its nest and interesting behaviors. Bridgeport may lack in cultural and other diversions, but it does allow for us to appreciate the beauty and fantastic design in nature.