Jack has gone back to school, wearing red in support of his teachers.  We shall see what happens.  Right now the provincial government has invoked the notwithstanding clause which means there is no legal recourse for the teachers.  They are being forced to accept an offer that 90% of them had rejected.  They don't have a choice and that contract is in effect for the next four years.  The contract gave them a crappy raise and does nothing to address class size or class complexity, which was the main sticking point for the teachers..  If they didn't go back to work today, huge fines personally and for the union as a whole.  The province could have sent them back to work with binding arbritation, but our premier prefers to steamroller over people's rights.

The good news is that the constituents of the minister of education have put forth a recall petition for him.  The UCP likes to pretend it embraces freedom and accountability, hence the availability of a recall petition, but in fact, the UCP embraces autocracy with Danielle Smith being the autocrat/narcissist/micromanager.  You are free to do whatever you want, as long as it's her way.

 

The other day, someone asked what an emobossing plate is, this is an embossing plate.  When it's been fired, I will roll clay over it and have a relief version of the leaves, as opposed to an impression of the leaves on the clay.  It's not great, but I'm learning.

I walked the dogs this morning.  It was raining and snowing while I walked Charlie but no wind so it was nice.  I took Heidi later and no more rain or snow.  While I was outside I poop scooped and put the rest of the yard stuff either in the shed, or turned it over for the winter.

I also saw a huge pileated woodpecker, but it took off before I could get my phone out of my pocket.  I also saw a muskrat swimming in the pond behind us.  There is ice forming on the pond and I imagine the muskrat is getting ready for winter as well.

This afternoon we're all going to the resiliency class.  Right now we're working on effective communication.  I had homework to do but kept putting it off, looking at it, feeling overwhelmed by it and then this morning, when I wasn't tired I zipped right through it.  Who knew?  I'm supposed to be older and wiser:)  Jack and I finished up his homework yesterday before he was allowed to play Roblox.  Roblox is an excellent motivator for him.  

He had swimming last night and he's doing well.  Soccer tomorrow night and then he visits grandma for a couple of nights while we go to the wedding.  

I try not to think about the long cold winter too much.  I know it's coming but pretend it's not.  Who knows, maybe I'll even get out on my snowshoes this winter.  One can dream.