Hot Flushes, Heart Strings and Help

What a week, constant hot flushes had me sure menopause had snuck up and grabbed me a tad early, but no, apparently stress has the same effect. What stress? You might ask.

The stress that comes to a teacher when she cares, perhaps too much and even after all these years retains her idealism, the stress that comes when you don't want any child to hurt and you see it happen. A hard week.

Help came in the form of moments at my desk putting this little lady together, in the time I spent photographing her in Autumn sunshine, and in wearing her to work one day.

Help came in the form of this beautiful art work from Gaye: the colours; the quote; the stillness; just what I needed.

Help came from friends and family, from cuddling the most beautiful woofy face in the world, and help came from above. Thank you Jesus. May the next week be one of peace and wisdom.

The Brotherhood in Action

Scene
A warm summers day, and the teacher (me) sits at her desk working with one of her favourite classes. 22 boys, all about 15 years old are working fairly quietly and the male deputy (MD) appears at the door carrying a huge basket, full of flowers and chocolates, a bottle of pink bubbly tucked under his arm.

Boys: Who are they from Miss?
MD: Someone thinks you’re special
Me: A dog
Boys: (chorus) That’s not nice! He is trying hard to make up. That must have cost a lot. Maybe a hundred dollars. More than that. Give him a chance. No one is perfect Miss. You have to listen to him Miss..
Me: (Struggling to be heard) A real dog!
More chanting and calling out …
MD: (Catching on) It must be a very clever dog.
Silence descends, reluctantly
Me: I looked after my friends’ dog for a few weeks and they have sent me these in the dogs name: Pipepee.

Boys: Can we have a chocolate please?

The teacher shares.

Archer, with his dear friend Pipepee, hogging the couch and blissfully happy. They wear matching pearl collars (Archer's is blue) and influence each other to get up to all sorts of mischief.