Wow!
It's been quite a run.
Today, Elenka hangs up her teaching easel. This morning her alarm sounded at 5:30 AM for school for the very last time. I applauded in bed! Back a few years in the dining room on 409 North Beverwyck Road in Parsippany, NJ, she pulled out a map of the northern New England states, closed her eyes and touched the map 3 times. Her finger landed on Wiscasset, Bath and Portland. She inquired and only Portland had an art opening. She was interviewed over the phone, and soon a letter arrived confirming that she had the job. This morning for approximately the 8,228 time her car will turn into the King Middle School parking lot as the art teacher for the very last time. Back then, she had never been to Maine. After a week at the local YWCA, she made friends with another first year teacher, and awhile later they rented a camp in North Sebago on the lake. It was her first taste of the state. These days you'd be hard pressed to find a piece of this state that we haven't traveled to riding the blue highways.
Of course, these last few weeks have been bitter-sweet.
She loved teaching art to middle schoolers.
But she's excited.
After today, a new, adventurous canvas awaits.
And she's ready to spread some paint.
Happy Retirement to my best bud!
All the best ahead.
Love you!
Best wishes to Elenka in her post retirement phase!!
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your query on my post - Salt evaporation ponds, also called salt pans, are shallow artificial ponds designed to extract salt from sea water. The seawater is fed into large ponds and water is drawn out through natural evaporation which allows the salt to be subsequently harvested.
Wishing Elenka a wonderful retirement! I know you two will make the best of your new time together!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Elenka! Well done. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Birdman!! I am excited!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThat's a very long time, 44 years. Congratulations and happy retirement!
ReplyDeleteAh, Birdman, there is a poet that lies within you! The life you two have shared appears to be one of love and respect. I predict that your retirement years together will be joyful; take advantage of all that life has to offer. My mantra is "Retirement Rocks!"
ReplyDeleteI wish that Elenka lived close to me so that I could cajole her into giving me some drawing and painting lessons! I decided that I want a new interest for this coming Minnesota winter with dreams of becoming another Grandma Moses! Grandma Minnesota or Nana Minnesota has a nice ring to it, don't you think?!
Congratulations Elenka! Enjoy your 'new' life...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Elenka! I'm predicting that the two of you will have a fabulous retirement. One adventure after another.
ReplyDeleteThat tribute just warms my heart. Congratulations, Elenka! Maybe Birdman will share some your work with us?
ReplyDeletecongratulations to her! just awesome!
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy retirement Elenka, I hope you will allow Birdman to share some of your future artwork with us. Happy times ahead.
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy retirement Elenka, I hope you will allow Birdman to share some of your future artwork with us. Happy times ahead.
ReplyDeletewow, that's an amazing story! congrats elenka!! you two kids have fun!
ReplyDeleteI think you two will have some wonderful days ahead of you and weeks and months and years!
ReplyDeleteYayyyy, congratulations Ellen!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elenka! She is just as beautiful as I thought she would be, Birdman. You two will have many wonderful adventures ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet portrait! Congrats Elenka. You are truly an artist. Also, you probably deserve two medals - one for teaching middle school for such a long time and the second for putting up with you know who for so long! :)))
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Elenka!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elenka!
ReplyDeleteFélicitations !
ReplyDeleteMy congratulations to Elenka on her retirement. Now the two of you have to go find adventures. Just think, you can sleep in until 6 or even 6:30 am. That is a great portrait, Birdman.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to her! It shows a lot of dedication but now you will have even better times together.
ReplyDeleteMrs. C and I met in a bar on St. Patrick's day. That approach worked, too.
Congratulations to Elenka! 44 years anywhere is an accomplishment but teaching middle schoolers is above and beyond in my book! Many happy years to you both on blue highways ahead.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What an accomplishment to have helped shaped the lives of young people. Art is so important - even if we're not all good at it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you both will enjoy the many adventures of retirement.
Congratulate Elenka on her many years of teaching middle schoolers and doing what she loved! May you continue to savor all the memories you make together.
ReplyDeletewahooooooo! the best is yet to come. hoping you'll come visit before your time is filled up again with all the glorious things that have been waiting for you in retirement.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to her for her long and productive teaching career. I'm impressed Maine still has art classes. Our tea partiers ousted art, PE, music, and school libraries a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elenka!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Retirement
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.....this is what it is all about. Getting through the life of working and then enjoying ones second beginning.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! This is so exciting. Congratulations to Elenka. I know that you and she both loved teaching, but, as you have found, there IS life after work, and she will love the freedom.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you, Elenka.