And the winner is . . .

Today we drove to Northern Illinois University at DeKalb to participate in the regional competition of the National History Fair. Arianna was selected to compete in two categories: (1) Research Paper, (2) Presentation. Four other kids were also selected for their papers; seven others were selected for their presentations. 

The Fair is an all day activity. Presentation setup began at 8:30 AM. We arrived at 9:15 AM, which meant that Arianna had to get up and going much earlier than is typical for a Saturday. 

As it's name implies St. Catherine students competed against schools located in the general vicinity. 413 students were selected to participate. The students represented 24 schools - public and parochial. The Rockford Diocese was well represented with more than half dozen schools. 311 presentations were on display in the Duke Ellington Ballroom this morning.


After we setup her board, Arianna and her classmates made a quick survey of the competition. This particular presentation caught our eye as it had to do with Frank Lloyd Wright. 

There were all sorts of presentations having to do by-and-large with Illinois history. This year's theme was 'Revolution.' Loosely speaking. In other words, the goal set for the kids was to identify a historical figure who revolutionized something or other. And, again, there ought to be some kind of connection to Illinois.

Lots of creativity on display. We really had no idea what we'd be up against, but were really astonished at the lengths some kids went to.

Another example of creativity and effort.
  

At 10 AM, everybody was gathered in the Carl Sandburg auditorium for the kickoff of the day's activities. As we listened to opening remarks, the ballroom doors were locked and the judging of presentations began.

At this time, the awards for research papers were announced.  66 research papers were entered into competition. Arianna and several of her classmates, including her best friends - Peyton J. and Bridget B. - were awarded for their written work.

Five St. Catherine students advance to state competition in Springield, the state capital, on May 3.

Arianna and Peyton show off their blue ribbons.

Although on Wednesday, I thought to myself that I wouldn't be surprised if Arianna did in fact win an opportunity to compete against kids from across Illinois, when St. Catherine was called out and the student's began to be named I grabbed my camera and hoped that Arianna's name would be included. 


As always happens in contests and competitions, there are winners and losers. Not everybody who traveled to DeKalb earlier today was happy upon departure.

After the research paper winners were announced, but before the performances were scheduled to begin the St. Catherine contingent found a corner in the student lounge and relaxed.

Grandpa joked with the girls, who were playing Go Fish, until Sharon dragged him back to the auditorium, where we watch three short performances: Haymarket Square: Violence in the Night, Vaudeville in Chicago, and Mary Todd Lincoln: The Hellcat.

The performers were older kids, high school aged, who wrote and acted their own scripts. The Haymarket performance had five participants. The Vaudeville and Mary Todd Lincoln performances were "solo pieces" and quite accomplished.

Although the girls initially preferred to spent their free time messing around elsewhere in the student center building, Sharon made the effort to convince them that they ought to join us and watch the performers onstage. -Especially since they would soon be engaged in this year's production at St. Catherine.

Enjoying their time together outside school, the girls disappeared after a young magician told the story of Chicago's place in the history of vaudeville. As the next performance was just about to get underway, Arianna reappeared inquiring about lunch. She wanted to eat with her school mates at the Subway in the student center. I was opposed. As was Sharon. I had hoped we'd enjoy a bite to eat in town. And, although she was initially disappointed that she wouldn't be able to play in the arcade after a quick sandwich, the Hillside Restaurant, was such a cozy inn and the food so delicious, I think she may have forgiven us for diminishing her fun.

After a wonderful lunch, we made our way back to the student center, where Arianna hooked up with pals at the student bookstore. There, we bumped into Miss Loy, Arianna's History teacher, who advocated St. Catherine's participation in the History Fair and who recommended Arianna and her classmates to regional competition. Miss Loy was "floating" at having five of her students competing in Springfield in May. She wondered aloud if it weren't possible that two or three presentations might also be able to go down state.

With the presentation judging complete, the Ballroom was re-opened and folks made their way one more time to view the creativity. Bruno in particular enjoyed so much of what he saw, frequently remarking that he remembered this or that news story that he happened upon in the presentations.

Here's Peyton J., before she learned that she her presentation had won a blue ribbon and would compete in Springfield in May.   

Here's Arianna, who - sadly - did not receive a blue ribbon for her presentation. Although, initially, her disappointment was hard to hard. By day's end, she recognized that she had nothing to be ashamed of and that she was still a blue ribbon winner.

And here's Bridget B., who also won a second blue ribbon.

A bit difficult to see pals exceed in a shared activity. But, again, Arianna did her best and fared better for her research paper. Some kids went home without a ribbon. A lot of kids in fact.

So, Arianna's already excited about Springfield. What that entails, we're still not sure. But, as February is coming to a close, I'm sure we'll be made aware of what's expected of us soon.  

Winter's last gasp

Weather forecasts were accurate. Throughout the night snow fell. A wet, heavy snowfall . . . maybe 5". Not the 7 that had been predicted.

So, up and at it by 5:15 AM.

90 minutes to clear the driveway and front walk.

Then, a few pictures . . . .

Shagbark Hickory wrapped in Virginia Creeper . . .

Deer barricade around the apple tree . . .

Neighborhood duck pond . . .
  

North east corner of the yard - Service Berries and Cornelian Cherry beneath Shagbark Hickory . . .

A view from Sharon's and my bedroom window . . .

The arbor . . .

Random thoughts

Of late, nothing extraordinary going on at home, school, and work.


Some random thoughts . . . .


Tonight we are under a Winter storm warning. 7" of snow are predicted overnight. Wet, heavy, "heart-attack" snow. Happiness.


Assuming the worst, I am confident that we won't be deterred from our drive to DeKalb on Saturday. The Regional competition for the History Fair is much anticipated by us all.


Bruno and Sharon have been working on a 1500 piece puzzle for at least three weeks now. It's a challenge. Both concede it to be one of the most difficult puzzles they've worked on. Irregular shapes and a low contrast image of Santa sneaking around a living room by firelight make this so.


Bruno is well, but he's becoming increasing odd. His obsession with tidying is tiresome. On any given night we "compete" to see who's going to clear the table and fill the dishwasher. Even if I "win," Bruno seldom takes a night off.


Activity is good. Of course. But, it can get to be a bit much. I mean, it's become a challenge to find flatware and other kitchen utensils since Bruno got it into his head to empty the dishwasher after Sharon leaves the house to teach.


From my point of view it's almost as if he thinks the more active he is the less likely he'll be undermined by age. Maybe so. But, he does over do it, as was obvious when he broke down in tears last Friday when relating an anecdote about his war experiences. He'd related the story previously - we hear many of the stories repeatedly - but on this occasion his recollection of parting with a friend at the beginning of the end, and discovering at day's end that his friend had died left Bruno in tears, unable to say more than that he lost many friends during the war.


Somber as such a moment may be, it passes by without to much additional commentary. Invariably Arianna is an antidote to sour moods - Bruno's or my own. She is up to something. A project. About which I am not aware and not supposed to be aware.

Growing or shrinking?

I came upstairs from the basement and found Sharon and Arianna toe-to-toe -- literally. Sharon is without socks in the photo below.

Arianna is already inheriting pieces of Sharon's clothing. But, when standing among her classmates, Arianna isn't really sprouting as much as we think. 

Arianna, Party Planner

Arianna invited us to a Valentine's Day Party. We played games, ate treats, and enjoyed each other's company.

Magic Show

Arianna had a snow day. Although her recent illness did not permit her to romp in the snow.

We did however enjoy a magic show!

Competition

Bright, cold, morning. 10 degrees on the thermometer, -5 wind chill. 


Prior to yesterday's snow fall a critter -- squirrel, raccoon -- succeeded in knocked the bird feeders to the ground. When I opened the shutters this morning, both feeders were lying on their sides beneath the window, snow covered and empty.


After Mass, I filled the feeders and hung them back in the tree. And, I scattered a small bucket of loose seed under the yews that shelter so many of the chickadees, juncos, and sparrows.


Here it is hours later and when I went to the bedroom for a sweater I was astonished to see a half dozen geese outside the bedroom window, frantically tossing aside the straw and gobbling as much bird seed as could be had. I've never seen this before. I noted earlier this Winter that the geese had taken to congregating in the front and side yard, but to come as close to the house as they are now is extraordinary. Like mourning doves, the geese are sensitive to my presence at the window. They immediately take notice of me, stop feeding, and begin to move away from the house. 


Now that they've learned where a quick snack can be had, I'm curious how long they'll continue to visit. Through Spring? And what about next year?


Kinda funny to see the squirrels -- who intimidate the small birds -- making room for the geese.

It's Official!

Arianna is going to DeKalb. The judges of the regional history fair competition will not only review her paper on Frank Lloyd Wright, but her presentation will also be part of the competition.

The news is exciting and we are all looking forward to the experience on the 25th.

Chipmunks

Well, I don't know too much about the wildlife I share the neighborhood with, but when I saw a chipmunk today. I was a bit taken aback. It's February. And, I can guarantee you that there were no chipmunks out of hibernation a year ago.


Quiet day.


Bruno testy, despite his focus on a 1500 piece puzzle.


Arianna is catching a cold. But she persevered in her Valentine's Day preparations.


The sun was so inviting, I grabbed my camera -- 

the Yashica -- and went for a short walk. 


I  won't be at all surprised if we do get a serious snowfall before, say, Easter. But, after being out and about the yard and the neighborhood, I'm just about convinced that we are in fact due for an early Spring.


So, which do I prefer?


A view of the front walk in 2011 . . .

Or the view this weekend?

Early Spring?

Well, Woodstock Willy -- Punxatawney Phil's counterpart in Illinois -- didn't see his shadow the other morning. (How could he? The fog was too heavy.)


To be sure, the ground isn't frozen solid anymore. But, I would never have expected Monday's 60 degree day to result in the appearance of a crocus!

Poor thing. It hardly flourished.

Ground Hog Day

What a difference a year makes! Last year we were digging out of the third most serious snowfall in recent Chicago history. The notorious photo of Lake Shore Drive illustrates how dramatic the previous evening's commute actually was. 

This year?


Snow?


A week or so back I stepped out of Allstate and was inspired to drag out the hose and start an ice rink. It was that cold. Of course, the forecast indicated 40 degrees in no less than two days. Arianna was disappointed.


But, we focus on other things.


Her 2nd quarter grades came in an itty bitty bit lower -- percentage wise -- than the first quarter, but not significant enough to be exclude from the honor roll. I dare say Arianna is more distraught about her grades than I am. As long she does tries, as long as she puts forth the effort, I'm satisfied. Trouble? We'll address it. But there's nothing to be concerned about.


In conjunction with Catholic Schools Week (and Silly Hat Day) Geography Bee was earlier today. This is the first time she was able to participate. In other words, she was one of twelve kids at St. Catherine of Siena able to compete because of her performance in grade-level competition.

No, she didn't win. But, she proved herself able to handle the disappointment of being asked to sit down when she wasn't able to answer the question correctly. This is so important. We're not all able to win, to take first prize. Again, as long as she's trying . . . . 


There's always next year.