Conference on Instructional Technology 2008

That tiny speck next to the podium is me. I gave my presentation "Students' Technology Literacy: Assumptions, Expectations & the Truth" at the 2008 CIT conference at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY. I had rehearsed my presentation in a classroom, so I was a little unprepared for being scheduled in the big main theatre.
Turn out was good (I ran out of handouts and needed to post them on the web for others to access), I got great questions at the end of the presentation and later in the conference a few folks came up to me and said the liked my presentation. So over all I think the presentation went well.
The conference also included some great entertainment - a band called Fully Clothed Gents, which is a Bare Naked Ladies tribute band. And I picked up a few technology and teaching tips and tricks to try out.
Damon and the dogs survived pretty well on their own, and Damon was even able to kept the garden alive (except for one small pack of impatiens sitting in the shadows of the greenhouse). The Hops plants are doing well and the largest has already reached the top of the greenhouse.

Making Use of a Long Weekend.

Its been a busy weekend.


First, we have a new neighbor - a family of robins. They had been trying to nest on the back porch light about a month ago, but since its a high traffic area and the dogs are right there all the time we figured it wasn't the safest location for raising a family. We have discovered that by attaching some aluminum foil to the top of the light we were able to keep the birds from nesting there. To make up for the eviction, I built a bird house (of sorts) and attached it around the corner on the other side of the porch, away from both the doorway and the dogs. At first I was disappointed because the structure was not adopted by the birds, but they finally came around and this week and built a nest and are currently sitting on eggs. I took this picture from the upstairs window looking down at the back porch.

Other happenings this weekend:
Planted the tomato and pepper plants on Saturday.


On Sunday I joined Cathy, Cheryl, Trudy and Donna and we went up to Montreal for the Québec Provincial Quilt Show. Several friends from the Wadhams Hall Quilt retreats had quilts in the show. A wonderful show, took lots of pictures for inspiration.

The Start of Summer?

Its almost summer! Too bad it doesn’t feel like it yet up here in the north-country.

The basic getting-ready-for-summer chores are done, the rain barrels are set up, mowing has begun and the garage has been cleaned out.

While the flower boxes around the house are planted, the veggies are still spending the nights in the greenhouse. I hope to get the raised beds tilled and everything in the ground this weekend.