It has been awhile since I wrote a politically-charged blog post. So this one is about climate change.

<sarcasm>Nothing is happening. It's all a hoax. Fake news. Keep telling yourself that. You'll believe it if you repeat it enough.<drip>

Two penguin chicks survive out of 40,000
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a28067879/two-penguin-chicks-40-000-colony-climate-change-birds/?fbclid=IwAR3LWQ9RlW7wwKftZ_nJmX2fS6oG2SJq6DzeE0gNHABdPur1HGQkxbQGxp0

200 Reindeer found dead in Norway
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/over-200-reindeer-found-dead-in-norway-researchers-blame-climate-change-2076363?fbclid=IwAR3ImrpPZYy-6Zwym9_LXpFDwM2nu6nEuxRAwgaTHSO3GzE_FM2AWGK6tpE

Greenland's Land Ice Sheet Melting Faster; air flow over Atlantic disturbed
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/12/greenland-ice-sheet-is-melting-faster-than-in-the-last-350-years/

Cold War Spy Photos Show Himalayan Ice Melt
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/06/19/himalayan-glacier-melt-spy-images-reveal-impact-global-warming/1500695001/?fbclid=IwAR1d5mqx3_Q8uFnHa8Y_sa-N1UxLpSV9MXUVPReWcNg_TR2eAivuqc0l-0E

Carbon Dioxide so plentiful, can trees help us now?
https://www.businessinsider.com/so-much-co2-planting-trees-cant-save-us-2017-5?utm_content=buffer95269&fbclid=IwAR1yeH9DnY-VQj9_yQC6yOBIrb3IeY0eir_Bj_lXBfMA_KZcyVUEubh2Y8Q

Yeah - it's just a hoax. Carbon dioxide isn't increasing, ice isn't really melting in tons, nothing is going on. Just go back to work and ignore all of the signs. Maybe the end will come soon and we won't have anymore responsibility to care for the Earth.

Ignore at your own peril. And your great, great, great grandchildren's lives.

2019 Tennessee PTA Convention - April 25-28

The annual convention in 2019 was held in Memphis. I drove from Chattanooga to Memphis using what I call the southern route that runs along the northern top of Bama and Mississippi into southwestern Shelby County--Memphis.

The convention was a little different this year. It was held in a venue about two miles from the hotel. The venue closed at 7:30 pm. So there weren't any traditional separate goodbyes. Most of the board stayed until Sunday morning to leave, which is what I did.

My friend Larry and I decided to get BBQ for dinner Friday night and lo and behold everyone seemed to follow us! It was a great time. The next night after convention was over, we all went to Kooky Canuck. I had a great time with maple syrup steak and maple syrup drinks!

However, this convention was way different. I was nominated for an office position, which was not new to me, but this position was different. President elect. That means in two years, I would become president. But there was one more twist. For the first time, the election of the Tennessee PTA president elect would be contested.

Never in my entire life on the Tennessee PTA board did I ever think I would be challenged at an officer election before the 2017-2019 term. Something happened in the last 18 months resulting in a challenge. I knew it was coming. The election prep and going through it just added to the stress in making plans for the big event trip to Pensacola on the 1st of May.

But I made the best of it. Gave a solid campaign speech. Presented my workshop and gave information about a grant we had received. And was elected! Nevertheless, the end of convention for me was anticlimactic; I expected something big, but I was humbled by the election. Maybe that's what I needed after all--a shot of humility.

Talking about the education data grant to convention delegates

Convention forum

Being installed by former National PTA President Betsy Landers

A part of the 2019-2021 Executive Team as President elect of Tennessee PTA!

Education Data Training and Sage Advice

During the last three days of March, I attended training at the National PTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The training was about educational data and how we as group could educate parents on the data availability, how to interpret the data, and then how to advocate using the data. I was in the group representing Tennessee PTA, and there were four other groups there as well representing Ohio PTA, Virginia PTA, North Carolina PTA, and Florida PTA.

I think the best part of the training was about Ferpa/Sherpa and the importance of privacy to student data. Not enough parents know that their student data is protected.

Holiday Inn at Night

When I first arrived at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria, there were no rooms. So, we checked in our bags with the hotel porter and began walking the block down to where all of the restaurants were located.

I had explored Google Maps the days before the trip to find some good places to eat. There were quite a few. Plus, there was a grocery store chain, Harris Teeter, another block down to buy stuff for the hotel room refrigerator.

So, I told one of my colleagues about a hot dog place that made homemade fries and homemade shakes called Haute Dogs. It had received several good marks from fellow travelers on Google and on Trip Advisor, my two go-to sources of information for restaurant and hotel information when I travel.

Haute Dogs

Well, the reviewers didn't let us down! Wow, Haute Dogs is an excellent place to eat! I had the chipotle, bleu cheese, bbq sauce dogs covered with cheese and caramelized onions. Wow was that good. And the homemade fries were excellent.

We tried a sample of the cookies and cream homemade ice cream and loved it. We decided to come back after the  Friday training session for dessert.

Then we went down to Harris Teeter, bought some supplies, and finally after walking back up to the hotel, got into our rooms.

We went back to Haute Dogs with our Virginia PTA friends and they were impressed. They said they lived here and didn't know about the place. When I walked by on Saturday night, the line was out the door.  That should tell you something.

So, on Saturday evening, we had free time after enduring 8 hours of training. The other members of the Tennessee PTA group wanted to go into DC to look at monuments. Because I just toured the monuments for four days in December during graduation weekend,  I had no desire to go back so soon to look at them again. Instead, I went searching for a drink - a real drink, not soda or water.

Hanks Pasta Bar had a real bar and I was immediately seated at the bar in front of the crowd waiting for a table. I asked about the drink Offering Sage Advice and was told it was their most popular in-house drink. I decided to try it. Look at these ingredients! Old Forester Bourbon, Cinnamon, Thai Bird Chili, Orange, Sage, and Honey. The drink was totally awesome! The chili and sage and cinnamon combined for a powerful kicker after swallowing the bourbon. Man it was fantastic! If it hadn't cost $14, I would definitely have ordered another round.

Offering Sage Advice

Sunday after more training, we left for Tennessee. Here are some pictures from the National PTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA and some group pictures.