Lupine

I may be overly optimistic about Winter's coming to an end, but I actually sowed lupine seed at the roadside this afternoon. I collected the seed last Fall and would be thrilled if it catches hold here.

44 degrees

A cold, gray morning when I left the house this morning for Mass. Regardless of the temperature, I was adamant about getting outside today. Luckily the weather cooperated. It got to 44 degrees today . . . woo hoo!

I spent four hours outside today, pruning rose bushes, the Rose of Sharon, lopping down still more ornamental grasses and perennials, and raked out the "Cottage Bed".

Productive day . . . that even saw a splash of sunshine before I called it quits.  

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

No CCD today: Spring Break.

When I arrived home from the office, Arianna glanced over to the kitchen counter . . . .

What a wonderful surprise!

My mood was immediately elevated.

It begins . . .

Despite finding snow on the lawn this morning, I just had to get outside today. So, after I finished my duties for my employer, I bundled myself up, grabbed the pruning shears, and cut back the ornamental grass hedge at the west border. I was outside for maybe an hour until dinner was ready, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Science Fair Regional Competition

Today was the regional competition for the Illinois Science Fair.

The event us hosted by Northern Illinois University in DeKalb -- about an hour, southwest from Sleepy Hollow.

This is our third competition at NIU: History Fair (two years ago) and Science Fair (last year and again this year). We're familiar with the ins and outs of the logistics that go with these large scale events. And, they are large scale events. At day's end we learned that nearly 400 kids compete in the event. It's really inspiring to be surrounded by kids who are in fact engaged in their education.

At IMSA Arianna was judged for her paper. Today she was judged for her presentation. Two sides of the same coin, really. The paper contributes to the presentation; the presentation supports the paper. Neither are possible without an experiment. 

Like last year, Arianna worked within the Behavioral Sciences domain. She did an original study on conformity, testing to see whether students were more likely to conform to visual or auditory queues.

 
We arrived on schedule, setup, scouted out other kids / families representing St. Catherine of Siena, and then at 9 am Sharon and I were ushered out of the auditorium. Luckily we found a place to sit and each of us 'went our separate ways' -- Sharon worked on the play she's going to direct in June and I moved a bit closer to the Rhine River, in the history of WWII I've been reading since Christmas.

After several hours, Arianna appeared with a sheet of paper on which her judges commented on her paper, presentation, ability to answer questions and so forth.

By now everybody was ready for lunch, but Arianna wanted to eat with her pals -- 

whose parents planned to go to a fast food joint, which customarily doesn't agree with her -- and so we were at a bit of a stale mate . . . .

After a bit of an irritation-fed false start, we eventually found a nice diner-type restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely lunch that put everybody in a good mood again.

After lunch, the auditoriums are open for viewing of projects. 

And then, around 2 o'clock, awards are announced.

In contrast to last year, there were fewer awards available to give. Arianna did not win best in category, although fellow and former St. Catherine students did manage to take top honors. Arianna did win a trip to state, however. And, she did win a special award sponsored by the United States Navy's Office of Naval Research.

Last year, she also won a special award from the Navy.

Although Arianna is blasé about her achievement, Sharon and I are very proud that Arianna is able to succeed in this kind of high-stress, competitive venue. Only a quarter of the participants in today's competition were selected to advance to Illinois state-level competition. Her achievement underscores her perseverance (believe it or not the Science Fair activity started in September), her ability to conduct her research, write a coherent paper, and memorize a scripted presentation to accompany the visual presentation of her research and results. 

Could it be?

The temperature has broken freezing and the snow is retreating. (There is still no consistently Spring-like weather; it snowed like nobody's business on the drive to Mass, Sunday.)

This morning I was emboldened to see pale color amidst the dead leaves and still frost covered earth. 

Sedum . . .

Daffodils . . .

Yes, the bright white clumps in the above photo is snow.

But it reached 50 degrees today! And out I walked around the garden after work. To be sure, only a quarter inch or so of the earth has thawed, but seeing evidence of yet another growing season gives rise to a tremendous sense of thanksgiving. 

We made it!

Kilarski Family Game

I was surprised when Arianna recently said she wanted to learn how to play Pinochle.

'All the Kilarski's play Pinochle,' she said.

(Never mind that Arianna is not a Kilarski.)

It's Official . . .

Fruitful Day

Up and out of the house early today for Regional Science Fair at IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy).

It was an hour long drive down to Aurora and snow began to fall south of Rt 64. But, in the car, Arianna did a wonderful job practicing her talk. Without note cards. This year she memorized her presentation.

We arrived shortly before 8:30 am and in fact were one of the earlier arrivals of families representing St. Catherine's. This year only girls from the 8th grade had been chosen to compete: Bridget B., Peyton J., Ashley T., and Arianna. From the 7th grade, only boys had been chosen.

In comparison to last year, the auditorium seemed less full. We learned later this was because this year IMSA students competed separately.

For parents accompanying their children, Science Fair is characterized by the boredom of anticipation. The kids enjoy time together, waiting for their turn to present their project to judges. Parents just wait, occasionally chatting with friends or dipping into a book.

Today Arianna had two scheduled activities: Science Fair in the morning and Confirmation Retreat. Her science teacher scheduled her as an early presenter. Off she went, shortly after 9 o'clock, returning 45 minutes later.

Some of the judges were confused about the details of her experiment. She wasn't especially heart-broken, but I could tell that she was disappointed in her performance -- and that she didn't expect to advance to state competition.

We hung around a little while longer to see how some of the other kids did, but by 10:30 we were back on the road. Not knowing Arianna's scores and whether she'd advanced was an open question throughout lunch. We assured her that regardless of the outcome, we knew she worked hard on the project.

The rigmarole surrounding the Confirmation Retreat was extraordinarily frustrating. I discovered that the retreat had been scheduled on the same date as science fair almost a month ago. I queried the Director of Religious Eduction and Arianna's teacher. Yes, both confirmed, the 8th and 9th grade retreats were scheduled for the same Saturday. And, in fact, the 8th grade retreat was scheduled to take place between 8:30 am and Noon. I told Arianna's teacher that unless a solution to the conflict was found, Arianna would not be attending Science Fair, that I preferred for her to attend the Retreat.

My news did not set well with Arianna's teachers. But, rather than come up with an alternative plan and communicate it to the families impacted by the conflict, people seemed to ignore the issue altogether. Weeks passed. Come Friday, Noon, I have an email message waiting to be sent confirming that Arianna would not be attending Science Fair. I felt terrible. I understood that the school had invested some monies for Arianna to participate and believed it was unfair to her to miss out on something she'd worked for since September, but it wasn't my problem to resolve.

A couple of last ditch phone calls and emails finally brought about a semblance of a solution -- at least for me, if not all the families impacted. Arianna was given special permission -- along with her pal Peyton J. -- to attend the 9th grade Retreat, which started at 1 pm. 

Happily the DRE was able to mix Arianna and Peyton in with 9th graders who had attended St. Catherine's last year, some of whom Arianna was pals with from Little Thespians.

So, while driving Arianna back to St. Catherine's, Sharon got on the phone to find out if she'd advanced to state. No news. She couldn't get hold of anybody before Arianna joined in the Retreat.

But, after we dropped he off . . . .

Initially, we'd heard that she didn't make the cut. Her name hadn't been called when certificates were distributed on-stage at the conclusion of the day's event. 

Naturally, we were disappointed. It wasn't Arianna's year. It was Peyton's (who didn't win a spot last year).

I went outside and cleaned and refilled the bird bath. Grumbling. But, working through my disappointment.

As I was traipsing across the front lawn, Sharon opened the door and gave me a thumbs up while talking to somebody on the phone. It was her science teacher. Yes, in fact, Arianna's name had not been called. However, she had met the criteria; she had won a blue ribbon; she was going to present her paper at regionals.

Later, we all drove to St. Catherine's to pick up Arianna from the Retreat to tell her the good news. I went into church to get her. She was with Peyton and her family, none of whom gave me any indication of having discussed the outcome of this morning's judging.

When Arianna got into the car, Sharon asked her if Peyton had said anything to her. She had not. Upon hearing the news, Arianna was astonished. She started to cry, saying earlier in the afternoon she'd prayed to have the strength to accept the (supposed negative) outcome.


 

Lake Michigan

My colleague, Alex, worked from home today. He lives in the city. In a Sheridan Rd. high-rise, a number of miles north of the Loop.

He snapped this picture and sent it to the team with an exasperated cry of "When will it end?!?" 

As snow and ice covered as Lake Michigan still is, and as similarly ice covered as the Chicago River is I was surprised to hear on the radio this morning that city bureaucrats are still planning its annual dying on St. Patrick's Day.

They say tomorrow will be 40 degrees -- the average high temperature for the beginning of March.

They also say it's gonna snow on Saturday.

Ash Wednesday

Woke at 4 am to the sound of the snow plow.

Unexpected. I'd read snow showers had been forecast, but no snow was supposed to accumulate today.

A rushed start to the day. Out of the house by 5:30 am. 2" of blowing snow already on the ground. The major roads had yet to be plowed and salted.

"I'm good," I think. 

"I'll make it to Mass."

And then, as I cross Rt 25 and pass an SUV straddling a snow bank, it occurs to me . . . I left my phone at home. Since I had a job interview at 11:30 at my cell number I thought about turning around, but decided it was more important to receive ashes this morning at Mass.

Got to St. Mary's at 6:26 am. Four minutes to spare. Of course the parking lot was uncharacteristically full, but I had no difficulty finding a seat.

After Mass, what is typically a 10 minute drive to Allstate, turned into a 40 minute commute. At the office, most of my colleagues showed up no earlier than 10 am.

By 4 pm, it had stopped snowing and my commute to St. Catherine's to teach CCD was without any difficulties.

This year, the kids were not given the opportunity to receive ashes at Mass. The Deacons conducted a prayer service at 6:30 pm especially for CCD particpants and their parents. The 3rd Grader were especially well behaved -- save for I. and L. who played Rock, Paper, Scissors while waiting the the other grades to get their ashes. A sidelong glance from me put an end to that nonsense immediately.

A good class. My plans to describe Lent were cut short when I. announced she'd seen Son of God with her parents. And so I spent time fielding questions -- questions are good -- and describing the sequence of events between Palm Sunday and Easter.

At home greeted by a pile of birthday cards on the kitchen table.

All things must pass

I had always imagined that we'd continue to read to Arianna at bedtime. I don't know exactly how long I thought this would go on. But, like so many things in life, changes occur unnoticed. Nobody made a conscious decision to stop reading. In fact, I think, Sharon picked up the M. L'Engle book they started last year and read to Arianna one night last week. 

With homework until 9 o'clock and a 30 minute bath, there's simply no time to read before prayers and going to sleep. 

I'll always remember reading the Little House books . . . three times . . . with Sharon and Arianna. And, as well remember the pre-school years . . .

Father / Daughter Dance

This evening was the American Heritage Girls Father / Daughter Dance at St. Mary's. Although we were running late, Sharon snapped a couple photos before we ventured out into the snow.

A genuine difference in attitude after the chubby guy moves out of the frame . . .

The evening was enjoyable. A number of the evening's participants attended Mass at St. Mary's together. After Mass we retired to the Parish Hall, where fresh fruits and vegetables awaited us until dinner. 

All the girls were lovely in their party dresses. The Dads looked dapper in their suits and ties.

As I anticipated, we joined Mr. Moore and his four daughters and Fr. Manny for dinner. While our attire was formal, everybody was relaxed and congenial. During dinner pop tunes from the 40's -- Sinatra, in particular -- played at low volume. Then, around 7 o'clock, the music changed to dance tunes. 

In contrast to earlier Daddy / Daughter dances at St. Catherine's school, Arianna and I spent a considerable amount of time together on the dance floor. Not all the Dads had the pleasure of their daughter's company throughout the evening. The younger girls thought the Parish Hall was better used as a gymnasium and ran here and there, playing all sorts of games with one another.

The contrast between where we've been (Arianna running around the St. Catherine's gym with her school pals) and where we are (Arianna dancing with her Dad) didn't go unnoticed. But, the evening wasn't spoiled by middle-age sentiment. We had fun.

***    

Throughout the evening snow continued to fall. On the drive from Huntley we passed an SUV in a ditch. Better to drive slowly than end up similarly.

At home an episode of MTM and then after Arianna and Sharon were in bed I went outside to clear the driveway (for the 26th time?!?) It hadn't stopped snowing after 90 minutes work. Now the house is quiet -- not even the stirring of a Pepper cat -- and I'm done in. 

A fine, full day. 

Such a heavy cross to bear . . .

While eating breakfast this morning, today's weather map revealed an extraordinary meteorological event that upon reflection must be a heavy cross to bear.

For upon close inspection, it appears that despite balmy temperatures, it's going to snow in Florida today.