This was apparently written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to ‘explain God.’ I wonder if any of us could have done as well?

[ … And he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen ! … ] I can say that; it’s my home state.

And…that’s why I believe in God.’

Good Morning! Another steamy week at the GS. Today is a class day. All teachers present and accounted for! We will try to do recess if it is not too hot. Kids are wearing out in this heat, and we want to save their energy for swim days.

We will have two pool days this week on Tuesday and on Wednesday. There are lots of swimmers now, and we are sooooo proud of them!

Our Divers are: Addie, Ely, Kamden, Alex Schmitt, Jasmine, Cierra, Lily, Emily, Jake, Austin, and Alexis!

Our Deep Water swimmers are: Julie, Isaac, Sam, Jayce, Jill, Alex M, Phoenix and Jack H.

Our next targets are Reese and Colby…

The field trip to the track has not yet been finalized. Still waiting on the weather. We will post this as soon as possible.

Today we will try to b-b-q steak. This will go with oven fries and lots of fresh fruit.

Have a great week!

Someone called me at 6:45 a.m. one Friday, and they said they were surprised I was there. I reminded the caller that I had to make lunch for 35 kids and 15 adults – to go. Normally, I get the opposite comment: I don’t see how you do it…”

Like anything else, a picnic lunch needs certain things: viability; taste; and ease. I never do anything hard. It’s time consuming but do able for anyone who is organized and can see the bigger picture.

First things first: viability. Will it stay at restaurant chill till lunch? We use a good rolling insulated soft sided cooler. It’s tall and deep. We use freeze blocks. I have a whole box separated in the rungs of the freezer at school. Food stays refrigerator cool for hours and hours.

I fill a two gallon thermos with milk and another with water and another with bottled water and a couple of cans of soda in case… probably 4 minutes.

I use Schnuck’s re-usable grocery bags as carry alongs. I fill one with two cutting boards, twelve loaves of whole wheat hoagy type bread; bread for teachers (I love pumpernickle, Leigh changes her mind but generally Leigh and Dayna like glue pods, and Amy will eat nearly anything) 50 cups; two cans of Pringles; a water melon and 8 washable reusable baskets. Done! another four minutes.

I gather utensils: a sharp knife; three ice cream scoops; a bread knife; a peanut butter paddle and a wash cloth in a baggie. Done! 1 minute.

Second things second: Will the children AND the adults want to eat this? Variety is the name of the game, and make on the spot rather than pre-made-sog is the ticket. So every picnic morning, and there are three a week, we boil ten eggs; we make four cans of tuna; we fill the American cheese box; we fill the meat box with sliced turkey and sliced ham which I buy at Wesselman’s because it’s higher quality. I take along a jar of peanut butter and a bear filled with honey. I sometimes include spicy cheese and salami. So those are the sandwich makings.

I use real mayonnaise. It has a much cleaner taste than salad dressing or Miracle Whip. I grind ten eggs in the food processor, pop, pop, pop, done – and mix enough mayo into it to make it stick to bread. DONE! I do the same thing with the tuna, and each is put into perspective air tight containers and put into the cooler side by side on top of a freeze block. NEXT! Five minutes if the eggs are already boiled and pealed. By not putting a bunch of things into the tuna and egg, the result is that children eat it. Hint, hint!

I get out the meat box and put enough turkey and ham for sandwiches, and close tightly and put on a freeze block in the hamper. One minute tops.

I make carrot dip and place in a small screw on plastic pot; fill the pickle container till it’s filled; wash enough apples that will fit in a zip lock bag – 4 minutes.

Using the freeze bricks, I stagger the cold among the other take a longs, and lunch is packed.

Sometimes I make a chicken salad which is a snap if you do most of the work in advance. You bake six chicken breasts that are loaded with taco seasoning. When they are cool, you cut them up into chunks and into that goes real mayo, walnuts, grapes and anything that sounds good at the moment. Mix and store.

When we get to the picnic spot, we unfold the plastic picnic tablecloth, pull out the sandwich makings on one side of the table and the other picnic things on the other. On one cutting board, we cut one whole wheat hoagy bun at a time, fill, cut into six pieces and place into one of the baskets. We make two peanut butter and honey loaves, two meat and cheese, two egg, and two tuna. Normally, we throw very little away.

The children form a line and take a cup of milk and a sandwich – no plate. No plate means they need to eat it before they can put it down. It makes lunch a snap. They can have as much as they want. When most of the sandwiches are gone, it’s time to open carrots, pickles, apples or other fruit, watermelon and lastly chips. Chips are a prize for getting to the lunch finish line.

After we’ve had a very long field trip – on the way home – we offer the children half a soda and a whole grain cookie. The soda keeps them from the potty, and the cookie refreshes them.

OK, now tell me what is hard about any of that. Takes about 35 minutes to make and it’s easy to carry, and it tastes good, and it’s nutritious and fun. Clean up is nominal.

Our annual trip to Garden of the Gods was a good one despite the temperatures and the fact that one little one stepped on a yellow jacket nest and several children were stung. They were very grown up and responded well, and luckily no one went into shock. Within minutes they had shaken off the stings and were swimming at Pounds Hollow.

This is the kind of “natural downer” that there is when you hike in the woods, or do anything that amounts to being in nature.

We were delighted with as many children as there were who were able to swim a “fer piece” into the lake. They have learned so much this summer.

We had a nice lunch and then swam another hour and then headed home in wet clothes. We never bring swim suits on this trip because of the hike at Garden of the Gods.

It was very very hot on Friday, and the children handled that well too. We offered Gator Aide several times, and this helped keep the kids feeling good.

Mr. Denny joined us this trip, and we were glad to see him as involved with the kids as he was. It’s always nice to see a teacher really play with the kids. We are hoping he joins our family.

We arrived back to school about 4:00 and had a nice snack of Miss Amy’s chocolate chip cookies and milk. Good day.

Waimea
Bay shore-break surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Clark
Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with

appearances on Good Morning America Inside Edition and many local news stations across the U.S.

Clark Little on Good Morning America (2009):

It all started in 2007 when Clark ‘s wife wanted a nice piece of art to
decorate a wall.Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out. “Clark ‘s view” is a unique view of the ocean that most will only be able to experience safely on land while studying one of Clark’Sphotos.
Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has
taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel.

These incredible images of waves in the Hawaiian Islands were taken by
Clark Little, the number one photographer of surf. He is dedicated to photographing the waves and has published a selection of his best images.He
captures magical moments inside the tube as surfers say.

CDC finds 90% of Americans consume too much sodium from Food Navigator

Comment: This is really scary when you think about all the “quick” and easy foods we have come to take for granted. Salt is an aging element, and it is quite capable of destroying our body. Read on McDuff!

By Caroline Scott-Thomas, 25-Jun-2010

Related topics: Sodium reduction, Financial & Industry, Flavors and colors, Preservatives and acidulants

Ninety percent of Americans consume more that the recommended daily amount of sodium, according to new figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC estimates that 77 percent of sodium in the American diet comes from processed foods – with most of it in foods that may not taste salty. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a daily intake of less than 2,300mg of sodium. But specific groups, comprising nearly 70 percent of the US population, should not surpass 1,500mg of sodium a day according to the guidelines, including those with high blood pressure, blacks, and anyone middle-aged or older.

The CDC’s new research found that an average of 9.6 percent of the total population consumed sodium within the recommended limits, including only 5.5 percent of those advised to consume 1,500mg or less, and 18.8 percent of those advised to consume a maximum of 2,300mg.

Call for industry action

Public health analyst with CDC’s division for heart disease and stroke prevention and lead author of the report Janelle Peralez Gunn said: “Sodium has become so pervasive in our food supply that it’s difficult for the vast majority of Americans to stay within recommended limits. Public health professionals, together with food manufacturers, retailers and health care providers, must take action now to help support people’s efforts to reduce their sodium consumption.”

Grains, including refined grain products such as pizza and cookies, were found to contribute the most sodium to the American diet, at 36.9 percent of the total, followed by dishes containing meat, poultry and fish, at 27.9 percent. Meat and grain-based products were found to account for nearly two-thirds of Americans’ daily sodium intake, the CDC said.

Food industry pledges

Industry has been making strides toward slashing the sodium content of its products, and many major manufacturers have made fresh sodium reduction commitments over the past year, including General Mills, Kraft, ConAgra and Unilever.

Most recently, The Campbell Soup Company said this month that it would start distribution of a further 21 varieties of its condensed soups reformulated with reduced sodium content.

The CDC’s latest sodium research was based on findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-6 and the US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database.

The findings are published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Good morning!

Another week begins!

This week we will be swimming at Newburgh probably twice, on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m thinking Scales is a no go this week because of transportation.

On Friday we will be going to Garden of the Gods. This is an exciting trip the kids really love. The views are fantastic, the rock formations are interesting, and the climb is just perfect for kids.

Parents who want to attend must sign the sign up sheet on the front door so we know how many we need to feed. Great trip!

It should be hot on Friday, and when we have finished lunch, we will take a dip in the lake at Pounds Hollow. Such fun.

We need sun screen!

Some parents have not paid for swim suits. I’m sending out cards today. If there is a mistake, please let me know.

Today we will have an assortment of classes and for lunch we will have lasagna, salad and fresh fruit.

Have a great week.

HIGH SCHOOL—1957 vs. 2010

Scenario 1:

Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck’s back window gun rack.

1957 –Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2010 –School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1957 –Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2010 –Police called and SWAT team arrives — they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:

Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.

1957 –Jeffrey sent to the Principals office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2010 –Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 –Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2010 –Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school..

1957- Mark shares his aspirin with a school buddy that has a headache also.

2010 – The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:

Pedro fails high school English.

1957- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2010- Pedro’s cause is taken up by state Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1957 –Ants die.

2010 –ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents — and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny’s dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957 –In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2010 –Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

We had a really successful trip to Mammoth Cave. It’s always a bit daunting to coordinate travel and timing three hours away, but it came off smoothly.

The kids were outstanding. Their behavior on the bus was wonderful. Several of the children slept all the way down and all the way back. It’s amazing how a moving vehicle can entice sleeping!

We took 34 children and 13 adults with us. The bus was not as crowded as we thought it would be.

We stopped at McDonald’s in Morganfield to use the bath rooms and made record time to the cave picnic area where the kids played hide and seek until lunch was ready. We ate a nice lunch of ham and cheese, tuna, egg, peanut butter and honey, and chicken salad for the adults. We had melons, peaches and pickles, and chips.

The cave tour began promptly at 1:00. We walked into the mouth of the cave down many steps. It was beautiful. There is a waterfall there, and the vegetation is magnificent. The entrance was a very cool 54 degrees. We moved past the beautiful plant life into the plant-less dark cave. Lots of the kids were a little surprised by how dark it was. We moved quickly through the deep cave, down, down, down nearly 350 feet. We saw the place where the cave was mined for the war of 1812. We saw the graffiti from the late 19th century and the early 20 century. We moved through some very low and very windy ways, and through some very narrow passages. I think the children were amazed by how complicated the inside of the cave is.

We stopped for a fielding of questions at the bottom of our trip – our lowest point. And then began the 350 feet climb to the top and the opening. It was a good climb up about eight flights of stairs, but the view down was spectacular.

We wended our way toward the opening of the cave and back into the heat and the humidity. There was a cloud of steam and vapors waiting for us to walk through on the long incline back to the ranger station.

We used the rest rooms again and then boarded the bus for a five minute trip to our cookie and soda stop. We stopped and devoured the huge batch of Miss Amy’s cookies, and we drank all the soda, and then we headed home. We made record time and arrived back at school at 6:00. All the children were picked up on time, and for this teachers were very grateful.

A good trip. Next week: Garden of the Gods!