Poetry in motion

I pass this fountain nearly every morning as the sun breaks above the crest of a nearby peak. After months of good intentions, I finally remembered my camera, and it turned out to be the last day the water was on before winter. Lucky me. Enjoy.

Thanksgiving fête

This was the first time during our marriage that we missed Thanksgiving in America; and so, perhaps in compensation, I agreed to head a Thanksgiving feast at our school, à l'Américain.

We pressed the leaves from our Telavi trip and used them as decoration throughout the canteen.

It was, as one could imagine, a tremendous amount of work. We planned far in advance to order turkeys, cranberrys, and the correct herbs and spices. I selected tried and true recipes, as well as a few newbies. We also spent more than a month teaching harvest and Thanksgiving-themed vocabulary and history to our English classes, to culminate with the big feast.

And it went off beautifully. I was so pleased to be able to introduce American cuisine to the children (& adults) that didn't include hamburgers and pizza.

We arranged to have a US Marine join us from the Embassy. He handed out dessert to the awestruck children. We were also fortunate to have the US Ambassador dine with us.

Family and friends were invited; we served lunch to a full house.

All the Americans associated with the school (a grand total of 4) were in the kitchen the night before and morning of, getting the job done. And thanks to their contribution and the incredible full-time kitchen staff, I think it may have been the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever tasted.

Telavi Fizzle

We wanted to get out--a day trip or bust! The nearby ancient city of Telavi was our destination, but after a late start, pouring rain, massive road construction, no map, a citadel closed for renovations, and a disappointing restaurant, we wondered if we should have yielded to the deterrents after all. The one redeeming factor was probably the winding drive through the mountains.

After the rain passed, the forest was a copper-carpeted wonderland with rich green interludes. The fresh spicy air was rejuvenating as we climbed the wet slopes in search of worthwhile specimens of fall beauty.

School Days

School resumed this year without a hitch. It's been something like a miracle to witness these girls convert to fluid French. I'm not whimsical enough to say it's a dream come true, but if I were, I might put it that way.

And overall we've been very pleased with their school, which also happens to be my place of employment. The cultural atmosphere is diverse, the curriculum is hands-on and includes lots of physical activity, the lunches are healthy and delicious, and the building is bright, modern, and conducive to enlightenment.

And, as a teacher, I have the opportunity to point out all the beauties that the world has to offer . . .

. . . and bring them into the classroom.

The girls patiently wait in my classroom each day after my classes.

We are on this wonderful odyssey of learning together, and it fleshes out a dimension of parenthood and life that I find vastly fulfilling and interesting.