CELLS

Nicholas' class just started a new section-the human body. Therefore, last week I had the pleasure of visiting his class to talk about the mysterious little wonders known as cells.

I started off the lecture describing the human body as a house. I asked the kids what things are in a a house, and they replied that there are rooms in a house. We talked about how all rooms have similar features, but that there are also differences. That is what makes a kitchen different from a living room and a nerve cell different from a skin cell.

Next, I built a man out of different colored Lego blocks. I forgot my body plan and ended up making a man without arms. The kids got a major kick out of that one!

In order to get them back on track and silence the laughter, I asked for a volunteer. All the children raised their hands... even before I told them what was next. I was having a hard time picking a helper, but Ollie, one of Nicholas' friends, reminded me that he had told me first that he wanted to help out. Lori, Nicholas' teacher, said I was in charge, so I picked Ollie.

I took a cheek scraping to get some cells from Ollie, and then we placed the cells on a slide and stained them. Not certain that this would work, I was smart enough to bring a slide that had been previously prepared- of a prostate (see above). The kids gazed at the slide under the microscope, thinking that they were Ollie's cells, and they were truly in awe (I am not sure I will share this post with Nicholas until he is 21 for fear of breaking his heart!)

I next showed a youtube video of cells dividing on my laptop, which allowed the kids to practice some math, too. 1->2->4, etc.

I closed with a discussion about why we bother to study cells. The kids said we did so because it helps us understand how we get sick and how to get well. I said they were right and that is exactly what motivated me to study cells.

The kids thanked me, and I could tell by the looks in their eyes that there will be more than one scientist from this class. Perhaps even my own son...

SOLSTICE

Last week, we went to Arbor to watch the school's biggest performance called Solstice. This is a school-wide function, and each year there is a different theme. Potlatch, a gift-giving Native American ceremony was this year's theme.

Nicholas' class and the other primary class played different animals and performed in a skit about the balance between the earth, the elements, and us all. As you can see below, he was a fish.






There was a lot of singing and drumming, and the Seniors wore Native American robes of power.

Finally, Solstice closed with this song.



The chorus says it all: "My own life is all I can hope to control. Let my life be lived for the good, the good of us all. Let it bring peace. Sweet peace. Peace will come. Let it begin with me!"

Sniff. Sniff. Pass the kleenex please...

YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO GRINGOTTS!

Earlier this school year, Nicholas had a lot of trepidation about being alone at school, seeing people he did not know there, or trying new things. He expressed particular concern about being assigned the job of book runner- the child who is in charge of returning the books from his classroom to the school library- because he would have to walk so far from his classroom alone.

So when Nicholas told me this week that he was the book runner, I naturally asked him if he was afraid. He quickly responded that he was not. He said he did not have any reason to be scared because "everyone at Arbor is nice. If I need help, someone will help me!"

There are very few absolutes or things in life of which any of us can be certain, but Nicholas has clearly already found one. Here's to Arbor, a liberal, eco-friendly Hogwarts... without the House of Slytherin!

I hope you enjoy these pictures from our walk to the library together this morning!

PITCH PERFECT

Most days I do not make it out the door to exercise. However at least 1 day per week, I try to go out to the pitch (soccer field for the unenchanted) to practice.

We are fortunate to live by an elementary school that has an artificial turf pitch., which is critical for practicing and playing football during the rainy Portland winters. I usually go out to the pitch when it is still dark out in the morning and practice dribbling and kicking the ball.

On these mornings, I am alone with only a ball, my thoughts, and the desire to improve. While I still have a long way to go, these workouts bring to me an unrivaled sense of peace and pleasure.



Looking at this picture of the pitch taken on a frigid, frosty morning, don't you feel the same?

MAY OUR HEALING BEGIN

This week the nation witnessed an unimaginable tragedy in Tucson, Arizona when a gunmen opened fire at an open forum with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She remains in critical condition as do several others who were wounded at this event. Six people, including 9 year-old girl Christina-Taylor Green born on 9/11/01, were not so lucky and perished from the gunman's bullets.

Since that horrific event, there has been near-constant finger pointing and politicization. Thus, it was a breath of fresh air to watch President Obama's address from Arizona today.



President Obama's remarks were delivered with sorrow but also grace and the knowledge that we as a country will not be broken by this act. Indeed, he cited the fallen as ideals to which we should strive and whom we cannot let down with our behavior. He spoke of elevating our debate and focusing on civility. He shared with us the untainted view that 9 year-old Christina had of politics and what she must have hoped to get out of the event with Congresswoman Giffords last weekend. He reminded us that while we cannot stop all evil in this world, we are in control of ourselves and our actions. He reminded me why I am lucky to be alive with the family and friends that I call my own and why I put my trust in him some 4 years ago.

The mood in the country may not shift to civility after this speech. Rancor and partisan sniping may persist. Yet, on this January day in 2011, like that September day in 2001, we were all Americans first and whatever else divides us second.



The sign shown above from President Obama's address says it all. May our healing begin...