Long Hollow

Where seeds of thought have room to grow

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Realtor, writer, blogger in Austin, TX

Adding to my collection…

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I started substitute teaching again.

Three years ago I started a (mostly) full-time job and, except for Voting Day and a couple of quick visits to talk about writing to students, I didn't step a foot into the schools during that time.

I missed it, and I'm so grateful the district accepted me as a sub again. Over the past few weeks I've reviewed color patterns… read Peter Rabbit aloud for the first time in more than a decade, as well as voiced a part in the last act of Othello…  watched a stage performance of "The Emperor's New Clothes"… enjoyed a documentary hosted by Peter Jennings about the 50's and early 60's (three times!)… learned about the dangers of drinking and drugs from Hollywood Henderson via VHS… and overheard some heartbreaking home life stories.

I'm not going to be the popular sub… at least not at the high school… because I don't care if the kids like me or not. I'm there to follow the teacher's directions, period. And, if possible, get the kids to learn something while they're under my watch.

After raising three kids and subbing for 15 years (plus one year on the payroll as the elementary school librarian) I'm on to all, or at least most, of the tricks. But I still have a soft heart and those kids can be really tricky. I'm sure they're going to pull one over one me every once in a while because they can also be interesting, considerate and funny.

I'm hoping to sub as much as I can until summer vacation starts. Unlike other jobs I've had in my life, this one gives me a good feeling, like I've actually done something positive with my time. It's also a great source of material for my children's book!

And, of course, the main reason I'm taking time away from my book for anything else is we need the money. I'm just grateful that I've been able to gather a flexible collection of jobs I enjoy:

  1. Writer
  2. Photographer (Art and Portrait)
  3. Blogger
  4. Book Reviewer
  5. Substitute teacher
  6. Winery Bistro waiter
  7. Independent Silpada Representative
  8. Substitute church secretary
  9. Personal historian (although I haven't made much progress on this one!)

I feel like I've forgotten one or two…

Oh, well. It's hard to focus when this is what's going on around me…

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So gorgeous! The world is exploding in color!

I pulled over to take this on my commute to #5 yesterday. And to sigh.

There was an art show going on around the estate, so during some down time, I grabbed my camera and walked around…

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This was my favorite, by Shakti Sarkin. I didn't go home with it, though. The price? $1350. 

Made me wish I could add 'artist' to my list.

Here are a few other pieces that caught my eye…

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I believe the art will hang around for a month. But we also have a new permanent addition to the Bistro. A pizza oven!

You can see Chef Sean is happy about it…

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…but this is going to be sooooo detrimental to my waistline…

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I love pizza.

I love my jobs.

If you miss me on Facebook or FlickR or in the comments section of your blog, now you know why! (Thanks for missing me, Patti!)

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22 responses to “Adding to my collection…”

  1. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Who knew (until this blog post) that both of us have substitute teaching in common? I logged almost 15 years teaching English to high school kids – mixing up 6 month teaching stints with the more day-to-day stuff. And loved every minute of it. And on some days, still miss it.

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  2. Walker Thornton Avatar
    Walker Thornton

    It blows my mind, again, to see all the things you do….and still manage to enjoy life and share its pleasures with us.
    You amaze me.

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  3. Suldog Avatar
    Suldog

    Wow. Rich post.
    First, the sand dollars. I had a few when I was a kid. I liked them, a lot. I have no idea whatever became of them. I can’t imagine myself throwing them out. I guess they must have gone the way of my baseball cards, gathered up in a general “clean your room or out goes everything” Mom-type storm.
    You sound like an excellent teacher. I can’t imagine you otherwise, of course.
    That’s some wonderful art there. I especially like the impressionist stuff. The boat, with reflection on the water, is particularly nice.
    And pizza! I adore a nice thin crust pizza, especially from a brick oven. I am now drooling on my keyboard and it is getting hard to write. I must go.

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  4. lisleman Avatar
    lisleman

    I can only attest to your blogger work – excellent. However if you would like to deliver a pizza here – I’d even give you a tip. (probably that it’s too damn far to deliver pizza)

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  5. Shrinky Avatar
    Shrinky

    I love that you love teaching. I still have the complete collection of Beatrix Potter which I read to my children, as I tucked them up for the night (almost 21yrs weathered, now). My baby sis’ claims she has her dream job, she is paid by the government to travel up and down our isle each day, teaching small groups of children at their respective schools, how to play wind instruments (and hopefully see them pass through a few grades with it). She wouldn’t swap it for the world.
    Oh, I would have LOVED to have accompanied you on that visit to the art gallery – the choice you singled out is certainly deep and rich and sumptious! As for that pizza oven – ooooh (get thee behind me, Satan), this is NOT helping my diet, y’know..

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  6. Pauline Avatar
    Pauline

    Have fun subbing – it will be my job when I retire. Who can live on SS alone?

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    You'll be lucky to get any SS at all from the sound of things!! The kids will be blessed to have you as a sub, though, I'm sure!

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  8. cynthia eloise Avatar
    cynthia eloise

    that’s quite a resume you have there mrs shallue.

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Why, thank you, Ms. Starr!

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Have you seen the Beatrix Potter movie with Renee Zellweger? I just watched it recently – so much fun seeing how she came up with the stories and proved the sexist naysayers wrong.
    I do love teaching, but I think my dream job would be librarian. I loved reading to the kids then sending them back to class. Your sister's job sounds wonderful!!
    After seeing all the stairs you have to climb to get around your house, and the wonderful fields and trails you have to explore everyday, I believe you could eat all the pizza you want and not gain a pound!!

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Thank you, Bill! If I thought it would ship well, I'd mail you one, no charge!
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Growing up near Galveston, finding a whole sand dollar was such a rarity. Not quite as rare on the beaches of South Texas or Florida, though, so we now have quite a few. Send me your address and I'll mail you one!!
     

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Don't be too amazed! It's sort of the jack of all trades, master of none kind of thing… and I never get to all of them in one day. Heck, sometimes in one week!

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    I'm not surprised we have more in common! I'm not sure I could be a full time teacher, but I do love substitute teaching. Being an elementary school librarian was fun – sort of like what I imagine being a grandmother would be like. They visit, you read a few stories to them, and send them back to class. lol 

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  15. Intesab Husain @ Lighting Automation... Avatar
    Intesab Husain @ Lighting Automation…

    Wow, Very very informative post. Thanks for this exiting post.

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  16. Agnes Avatar
    Agnes

    I think not caring if people (or the kids in this case) like you or not pays (in the long run).
    (Let’s see if I can post this comment, this is my first try… fingers crossed.)

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  17. Agnes Avatar
    Agnes

    Yay :-))))

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    Yay! It went through!! 
    I wish I didn't have to worry about a job not paying… I spent years volunteering for everything and loved it. Unfortunately, that's one reason we're so broke now and I have to charge for my time. I'm just glad I can find things I enjoy doing that will pay at least a little bit!

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  19. Lady Fi Avatar
    Lady Fi

    You have so much energy! Love that first shot…

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  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    More desperation and determination than energy, but thank you!
     

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  21. Wolf Pascoe Avatar
    Wolf Pascoe

    I love this list. Whenever I think of the librarians I think of the Berlin library in Wings of Desire. Libraries are holy places.

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar
    Barbara Shallue

    I confess I've never seen Wings of Desire! Adding it to my Netflix queue…
     

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